Gates man arrested in connection with deadly shooting outside Gates store

Posted at: 09/07/2012 2:58 PM | Updated at: 09/07/2012 11:50 PM
By: Amanda Ciavarri | WHEC.com

To be the first to buy a trendy pair of new sneakers cost a young man his life. On Friday afternoon, Gates Police announced the arrest of William Wilkins, in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Montre Bradley.

Bradley was shot and killed outside a shoe store in Gates during a robbery attempt as he waited in line to buy a new pair of shoes.

News10NBC spoke with Bradley’s family about the arrest.

For family members, this brings out a mix of emotions. They say they are happy Wilkins has been arrested, but they are still trying to cope with their loss.

Montre Bradley’s aunt said, “I just want to say thank you. I know that there is more to happen. It’s not over till everybody is caught.”

On Friday night, the family of 19-year-old Montre Bradley is relieved. They say the past week has been a long one.

They said, “We’ve been coping, just trying to stay close to each other, praying with each other, lifting each other up, consoling each other. It’s been very tough for me. I went back to work just to stay busy.”

They’re pleased that someone was arrested so soon and charged with Bradley’s death.

According to court paperwork, 19-year-old William Wilkins III is accused of shooting Bradley in the stomach during a robbery attempt and causing his death. Police, however, have not confirmed that Wilkins was the shooter… they do say Wilkins had an accomplice.

A lawyer told News10NBC, “Both of these individuals, Wilkins and the other individual were people that were apart of robbing or attempting to rob Mr. Bradley and during the course of that scuffle, Mr. Bradley was killed and the fact of the matter is they are both responsible.”

Property records show that Wilkins is a neighbor to Gates town supervisor Mark Assini, who told me he had concerns about Wilkins.

Assini said, “I saw some of this coming. I saw the withdraw of their son, more and more away from the home and I saw changes in him… he use to be very respectful. He treated myself and my family very well and to see him drift away in what appears to be involved it what appears to be some sort of gang related violence.”

Police are still searching for another suspect and Chief David Dicaro says they know exactly who they’re looking for.

Dicaro said, “It's sad that somebody could do something like that to my nephew, senseless, and at the same time I can't express it. I just can't express that we are happy someone has been apprehended.”

Bradley’s aunt says she wants everyone involved with Bradley’s death to be put behind bars. While she waits, she finds strength through her memories.

She said, “Just thinking of things that he said. His laugh makes me laugh, cause he had a crazy laugh. I just have lots of pictures.”

Wilkins was sent to the Monroe County jail with no bail. He is expected to be back in Gates Town Court on Wednesday, September 12.

Travares Johnson was arrested last week and believed to be an accomplice, but police say he was not involved in the attempted robbery or the shooting. They believe Wilkins was in Johnson’s car at some point after and that Johnson knew what happened. That’s why he fled and was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.

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