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Utica Police Department Arrests Utica Man After Gun Fired Inside Bleecker Street Establishment

On May 9th, 2026 at approximately 1:10AM Utica Police units were outside of 222 Bleecker St when they heard what they believed to be a gunshot originating from inside the establishment. The supervisor on scene immediately noticed dispatched and other officers of this occurrence, and made entry inside.

Upon doing so multiple parties were fleeing in an attempt to exit and the supervisor noticed several parties fighting on the ground. Security staff then informed the officers that a shot had been discharged and they had actively fought with the male who fired the shot, ultimately disarming him and pushing the gun behind the bar area.

Officers immediately secured the weapon, a loaded GLOCK 9mm handgun, and conducted safety sweep of the interior of the premise to ensure that there were no injured parties. At this time the identity of the suspect was not known and the scene was secured.

Upon later viewing surveillance footage it appeared as if the suspect had rushed past security while brandishing the handgun in an attempt to engage another male. While doing so, security staff then bravely intervened, struggled with, and then ultimately disarmed the male after the shot was fired.

With the aid of the security footage and officer Body Worn Cameras, the suspect party, who unbeknownst to the officers initially had fled upon their entry, was positively identified.

On May 12th, investigators with the Utica Police GIVE Unit, aided by members of the US Marshal Fugitive Task Force, learned that the suspect was at a location in Ilion, NY. Surveillance was set up on the location and the suspect was ultimately stopped in a vehicle as if left. The mentioned personnel, with the assistance of the Ilion Police Department, attempted to take the suspect into custody, however he actively and aggressively fought with the officers until he was placed into handcuffs.

The suspect, Antar Handy, age 36 of Utica, was then transported to the Utica Police Department and charged with:

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree x2 (previous conviction, extended magazine)

Criminal Possession of a Firearm

Reckless Endangerment in the first degree

Additional charges are being explored and may be filed in the future


 
 
 

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