Albany resident enters a plea of not guilty to charges of attempted murder

Donta Blair, a 24-year-old Albany man, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges related to a shots fired incident that occurred on February 13. The incident took place at 900 Central Avenue, where officers responded to a report of shots fired. The victim reported hearing gunshots while driving, and saw a man in his rearview mirror pointing what appeared to be a firearm. The victim discovered a bullet hole in the back passenger seat of his car.

After the incident, Blair was found to have entered a residence on the 500 block of Clinton Avenue. He was later taken into custody along with another individual without any further incident. In addition to second-degree attempted murder, Blair also faced charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree attempted assault, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (three counts), third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He is being held at the Albany County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 3, 2024.

The Albany County District Attorney’s Office stated that Blair attempted to injure and/or cause the death of another person using a deadly weapon. The victim was able to drive to a safe area where he discovered the bullet hole in his car. The incident on February 13 led to Blair being charged with serious offenses, including attempted murder and various weapon and drug possession charges.

Blair pleaded not guilty to all charges during his court appearance, indicating his denial of involvement in the attempted murder and other crimes. His scheduled court appearance on May 3, 2024, will provide more information on the case and potentially lead to further legal proceedings. The charges against Blair highlight the severity of the incident on February 13 and the potential consequences he may face if found guilty.

The successful arrest of Blair following the shots fired incident demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting violent crimes in the Albany area. The collaboration between officers and investigators led to Blair’s arrest at the residence on Clinton Avenue, preventing any further incidents or harm to the community. The legal process following Blair’s plea of not guilty will determine the appropriate response to the charges he faces, ensuring accountability for those involved in violent acts in the Albany community.