Beaver Dams shooting suspect arrested

SCHUYLER COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) – The Catlin man suspected in a reported shooting that led to a large police presence and an hour-long roadblock in Beaver Dams has been arrested.

According to the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, officers located 40-year-old Rexford “Ely” Smith on May 8 following an investigation into a threatening incident that began in the town of Dix. Police say Smith is believed to have been involved in a shooting on Mill Hill Road the morning of May 4th.

Police investigating the reported shooting discovered an ongoing conflict and were directed to a secondary location on State Route 414 in the town of Catlin. The investigation at the subsite resulted in a large police presence involving sheriff’s offices from three counties and state police. State Route 414 was closed for about 10 hours during the investigation, and Smith was later named as a suspect.

Smith was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class D misdemeanor), fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class A misdemeanor) and second-degree threatening (Class A misdemeanor).

Following his arrest, Smith was transported to the Schuyler County Jail for CAP charges.

The investigation into the incident in which Smith is believed to have been involved is currently ongoing.

The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Watkins Glen Police Department and the New York State Police Department assisted the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.