Two Syracuse men feuded on Facebook before gunfight that left 1 dead, 1 injured, DA says
Syracuse, N.Y. – Two men who got into a gunfight Monday that left one man dead were feuding on Facebook just before the shooting.
The Facebook exchange ends with the one man telling the other he was on South Avenue.
About half an hour later, the two were arguing in person and shooting at each other.
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick Thursday confirmed the two men were feuding over Facebook just before they met and got into a verbal dispute in the 100 block of Temple Place. During the argument, they started shooting at each other, he said.
Khadeem Conley, 26, died and Melchizedek Pearson, 20, was injured in the gunfight.
The DA’s office is investigating all social media posts, Fitzpatrick said. He could not confirm what the messages said.
At 11:51 a.m., Conley posted a GIF of Cristian Oliveras, an American comedian and social media personality who is best known for his “ram head towel.” Conley tagged Pearson in the post with a caption that read “Who that,” followed by laughing emojis.
A series of comments between Conley and Pearson appear to be in an argument. Conley wrote the post was just a joke.
The two discuss fighting.
At 12:50 p.m., Pearson ends the exchange saying “At South Ave right now, what’s the word.”
At 1:34 p.m., the gunfight was reported in the 100 block of Temple Place, just off South Avenue.
Conley and Pearson both suffered gunshot wounds, said Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a spokesperson for Syracuse police.
Conley was shot in the chest and was later pronounced dead at Upstate University Hospital, he said.
Pearson was shot to the midsection. He was still in the hospital as of Thursday, according to the DA.
Pearson will face charges for criminal use of a firearm in connection with the fatal gunfight, Fitzpatrick said.
As the investigation continues, the district attorney’s office will consider if Pearson should face homicide charges. They are working to determine who fired first during the altercation, the DA said. It is possible Pearson could have acted in self-defense, he said.
Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at [email protected]
