Mount Vernon Fires Deputy Commissioner, Charges Her in June 29 Bronx Gang Shooting

Q: Did texts reveal a police reform official knowingly helped plan her son’s courthouse shooting escape?

Yes. Prosecutors say text messages indicate Jennifer Lackard knowingly coordinated with her son before and after the June 29 shooting near Bronx Criminal Court. In court, prosecutors cited messages in which Chase Lackard allegedly told his mother to wait outside the building, and she replied, “When?? You can’t just be standing out front. The timing has to be right.” Authorities say those texts, along with surveillance video, support their claim that the escape was planned and that she served as the getaway driver after her son allegedly opened fire at a rival gang member. That said, the texts are evidence presented by prosecutors, not a final finding of fact. Jennifer Lackard has pleaded not guilty, and her lawyer argued in court that the allegations do not reflect her life and career. No public record in the material provided shows a conviction or a judicial ruling yet on what the messages ultimately prove. Both Jennifer and Chase Lackard were charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. Mount Vernon fired her immediately from her post overseeing wellness and police reform-related work, while stressing the allegations were unrelated to her official duties. So the available record shows that, according to prosecutors, the texts do reveal apparent advance coordination in her son’s escape. Whether that amounts to proven criminal intent will be decided in court.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 8

Jennifer Lackard, 49, was fired effective immediately after NYPD charged her with helping her 20-year-old son flee a June 29 drive-by shooting near Bronx Criminal Court.
Police say Lackard drove the getaway car while Chase Lackard carried out the alleged gang-related attack on rival gang members; both were arrested Tuesday.
Mount Vernon said the allegations were unrelated to Lackard’s official duties as deputy commissioner of wellness, a role focused on police reform, civilian oversight and officer wellness.
Lackard joined the city in July 2020 despite having never worked for a police department, and the report says she had ties to Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and prior criminal-justice advisory roles.