GI teen arraigned in shooting

by Karen Keefe
Grand Island Dispatch, June 9, 2006

A Grand Island high school student has been charged in a shooting incident that sent a young Kenmore man to the hospital. Jesse B. Carpenter, 16, of Carl Road has been charged with first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the shooting of Charles Casterline, 20. Casterline is listed in fair condition at Erie County Medical Center after being shot in the face with a small caliber rifle. Carpenter was arraigned on the two felony charges on Wednesday night in Grand Island Town Court before Town Justice Sybil Kennedy. He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. He was remanded to the Erie County Holding Center on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bail or insurance bond. Carpenter’s attorney, John J. Carney III, acknowledged that the charges were serious and said more would be learned as the investigation continues. Hearing Scheduled “He will likely be charged as an adult,” Carney said. The attorney said there is a felony hearing scheduled for Grand Island Town Court on Monday at 11 a.m. Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Kenyon is handling the investigation. He said the shooting occurred when an ongoing argument escalated between a group of young people from Grand Island and another group from Tonawanda.

Shooting suspect Jesse Carpenter, 16, of Grand Island is accompanied by his attorney, John J. Carney III, and a sheriff’s deputy on Wednesday night as he enters Grand Island Town Court for his arraignment on felony assault and weapons charges. (photo by Joe Eberle)

“There was an incident about 2 and 1/2 hours prior, about 9:30 p.m. involving some of the people,” Kenyon said. He said a ball bat was used to hit one of the cars and there was minimal damage. A couple of phone calls were exchanged, and the young people returned at about midnight.

Shortly after, deputies received a 911 call of a man being shot. Upon arrival on Carl Road, deputies determined that Casterline and three other occupants in his car had been in a verbal argument with Carpenter and his friends.

Authorities said words were exchanged between the two groups, and Carpenter opened fire, shooting several rounds into the car in which Casterline was a passenger. Casterline was struck in the face. No one else was injured.

Kenyon said the weapon involved was a .22-caliber rifle. “We’re trying to find out what led up to it and where the weapon came from,” he said. “We want to find out if anyone else was involved.”

Investigation Continues

Carney said exactly what happened will have to be determined by the investigation. “There were several people in the car,” he said, when shots were fired and Casterline was hurt. “We don’t even know if the bullet hit or if fragments of glass hit him.” Regarding Carpenter, Carney said, “It’s only an allegation. There’s no evidence of who did what.”

“We’re surprised and sorry for the allegations,” said Grand Island High School Principal Dr. James Dempsey. “We’ve got the best kids in Western New York here,” he said of Grand Island’s high school students. “That’s why it’s a surprise.”

Town Supervisor Peter McMahon said he didn’t think the incident reflected badly on the town. He said he couldn’t remember the last time a similar incident occurred on Grand Island. “The fact that it happened here is just the luck of the draw,” he said. “Other than having Islanders involved, this is really a dispute between two groups of boys over a girl.”

McMahon said the Erie County Sheriff’s Department did an excellent job of handling a difficult situation. “I am very pleased with the work of the Sheriff’s Department in resolving the matter so quickly,” he said. “I hope it acts as a deterrent.”