Jennifer Lackard, a former deputy police commissioner in Mount Vernon, New York, was arrested with her son after authorities accused her of driving the getaway car from an alleged gang-related shooting in the Bronx. The arrests followed a June 29 drive-by shooting near Bronx Criminal Court involving rival gang members. Mount Vernon terminated Lackard’s employment after the allegations emerged. Records and reporting also indicate that Lackard and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard are members of the same sorority.
Lackard’s former role focused on police reform, civilian complaint review board implementation and officer wellness. Officials said the allegations were unrelated to her work for the department, while attorneys for Lackard and her son did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
| 1) | Arrests follow a Bronx drive-by shooting |
| 2) | Lackard’s alleged role and criminal case |
| 3) | Former police leadership position in Mount Vernon |
| 4) | Reported connection to the mayor |
| 5) | Mount Vernon responds to the allegations |
Arrests follow a Bronx drive-by shooting
The New York Police Department arrested Jennifer Lackard and her son, Chase Lackard, on Tuesday in connection with a June 29 shooting near Bronx Criminal Court. Authorities described the incident as a drive-by shooting involving rival gang members. The Bronx is adjacent to Mount Vernon, where Lackard held a senior municipal police position before her arrest.
The case centers on what investigators allege happened after the shooting. According to the reported court records, Lackard was accused of helping her son leave the scene by driving the vehicle used as the getaway car. The available account does not establish a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
Lackard’s alleged role and criminal case
Jennifer Lackard, 49, and Chase Lackard, 20, were both arrested in the investigation. Authorities accused the mother of driving while her son allegedly carried out the shooting. The reported allegations concern conduct near the Bronx courthouse and not activity connected to Lackard’s official responsibilities in Mount Vernon.
The specific charges and the next steps in the criminal case were not detailed in the available report. Lawyers representing both defendants had not immediately responded to requests for comment. As with any criminal accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Former police leadership position in Mount Vernon
Before her arrest, Jennifer Lackard served as Mount Vernon’s deputy commissioner of wellness. Her responsibilities included police reform, implementing a civilian complaint review board and supporting officer wellness initiatives. The city hired her in July 2020, despite her acknowledging in an earlier interview that she had not previously worked for a police department.
At the time of her appointment, Mount Vernon described Lackard as bringing community-level experience and resources. The city cited her work as president of the Station of Hope prison re-entry ministry at Grace Baptist Church and as organizer of a Westchester County re-entry group. She had also held advisory roles with the Westchester County Probation Advisory Board and a New York City mayoral criminal justice implementation task force.
Reported connection to the mayor
The reported connection between Lackard and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is based on their shared membership in Delta Sigma Theta, a national sorority. That association was reported in the context of questions about Lackard’s path into the deputy commissioner role.
The available information does not show that the sorority connection played a role in the alleged shooting or in the criminal investigation. Officials contacted for comment included Patterson-Howard and representatives of Delta Sigma Theta, but no response was reported at the time.
Mount Vernon responds to the allegations
Mount Vernon announced that Lackard’s employment had been terminated effective immediately after the allegations became public. The city separated the alleged conduct from Lackard’s work, saying the case did not arise from her performance or from conduct associated with the police department.
“The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities.”
The statement reflects the city’s position that the criminal allegations concern events outside Lackard’s municipal duties. The criminal case remains with the relevant law enforcement and court authorities, while the reported responses from the defendants’ attorneys were still pending.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jennifer Lackard and Chase Lackard were arrested in connection with a June 29 Bronx shooting. |
| 2 | Authorities accused Lackard of driving the getaway car. |
| 3 | Mount Vernon fired Lackard from her deputy commissioner position. |
| 4 | Lackard and Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard reportedly belong to the same sorority. |
Summary
The arrests place a former Mount Vernon police executive at the center of an alleged gang-related shooting investigation in the Bronx. The city has ended Lackard’s employment while emphasizing that the allegations do not involve her official duties. The criminal case is unresolved, and further court proceedings will determine the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Jennifer Lackard, a former Mount Vernon deputy police commissioner, and her son, Chase Lackard, were arrested.
What are the allegations?
Authorities accused Lackard of driving her son away after an alleged drive-by shooting involving rival gang members near Bronx Criminal Court.
What action did Mount Vernon take?
The city terminated Lackard’s employment effective immediately and said the allegations were unrelated to her duties or performance in the police department.
