Teen killed in early Saturday shooting in Albany

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes a correction of the name of the individual who was seriously wounded. Albany police say they were given an incorrect name Saturday.

ALBANY — A man has been charged with felony murder in an East Albany homicide that occurred early Saturday morning, Albany Police Department officials say.

The APD Public Information Officer Phyllis Banks said police responded at 2:45 a.m. Saturday to a report of shots being fired in the 1600 block of Beverly Avenue.

Police found two teenage males who had been shot. Jalen Walker, 15, died and Quatez Strong, 18, was seriously wounded and airlifted to a hospital in Macon, APD officials said.

Upon arrival, police made contact with Joseph Jones III, who police say was involved in the incident.

“Jones reported that two suspects were following him and his family around in a red sedan,” Banks said. “He stated that the red sedan pulled up next to him and the passenger shot at him. Jones stated that he returned fire and may have struck the suspects. The passenger was deceased at the scene and the driver was taken to the hospital.”

According to Banks, Jones has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Bureau and remains under investigation, Banks said.