DEWITT -- DeWitt Police have made three arrests and are looking for a fourth suspect in the stabbings that occurred inside Denny’s restaurant on Erie Boulevard in the early morning hours of January 30th.
Those under arrest are:
Carlton Morman, 18, of 110 Merriman Ave. Syracuse, charged with Assault 2nd, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th, Reckless Endangerment 2nd, and Riot 2nd. Assault 2nd is a felony the remainder of the charges are misdemeanors. He was arrested on January 31st and arraigned before Judge Gideon in the Town of DeWitt and held on $40,000 cash/bond. He is due back in Town of DeWitt Court on February 16th.
Jaycee Floyd, 21, of 639 Ballantyne Rd. Syracuse, charged with Reckless Endangerment 2nd and Riot 2nd, both misdemeanors. He was arrested on February 4th and arraigned before V/E Syracuse Judge Benack and held on $1,000 cash/bond. He is due to return to Town of DeWitt Court on February 8th.
Jerome R. Clarke, 24, of 622 W. Brighton Ave, Syracuse, charged with Assault 1st, Assault 2nd, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, Reckless Endangerment 2nd, and Riot 2nd. Assault 1st, 2nd and Criminal Possession of a Weapon are felonies with the remainder being misdemeanors. He was arrested on February 4th and arraigned before Judge Benack and held on $50,000cash/$100,000 bond. He is due to return to Town of DeWitt Court on February 10th.
An arrest warrant has been issued for another suspect in the case, Ernest L. Hester, 21 years of age. He is 5”11, 160 lbs and is wanted for Assault 2nd, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, Reckless Endangerment 2nd, and Riot 2nd.
January 31 update:
DeWitt police have released new information about the stabbing at the Erie Boulevard Denny's Restaurant early Sunday morning.
Four people were injured and their names have now been identified. Tyquonne Betsey, 20, of East Syracuse, Kevin J. Williams 20, of Syracuse, Jimmie Hudson, 25 of Syracuse were treated and released. 21 year old Josiah Jones of Syracuse is still recovering. Police say the whole incident started when two groups of people started fighting. They say about 30 people were involved in the fight.
Investigators are reviewing video from the scene right now trying to identify suspects. One person has been charged in the case. 18 year old Daejah M. Werntz of 214 Chafee Ave. Syracuse, was ticketed for Obstructing Governmental Administration while officers attempted to interview people inside the restaurant.
DeWitt Police Chief Eugene Conway says Denny's did not have security at the time of the incident, and that may be something for them to consider.
"Denny's is one of the businesses that's open throughout the night," Chief Conway says. "It can bring situations, whether people are intoxicated or whatever the circumstances, so having an extra level of security is a good idea."
We called Denny's, but have not received a response, yet.
DeWitt detectives are still looking for a motive in the case. Several agencies assisted in the investigation including the U.S. Marshal's office. Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (315) 425-2333.
Do you think there should be more security at Denny's at night? Does this incident affect whether you'll eat at Denny's? Post your comments below:
January 30 update:
The Denny's on Erie Boulevard was back open Sunday night after an early morning stabbing sent four people to the hospital.
DeWitt police say they're continuing their investigation, but have not made any arrests at this time. Following Sunday morning's stabbing, University Hospital saw an influx of visitors.
The hospital's emergency room was briefly put on lockdown as officials tried to determine which people were family members, a hospital spokesperson told CNY Central.
January 30 coverage:
DeWitt Police are now reviewing security tapes as they sort out what happened at an all-night restaurant on Erie Boulevard this morning.
The Denny's remains closed until further notice.
Just before 4am police were called to a fight in progress at the Denny's. They say two men picked up knives and started stabbing people. Police saw a car fleeing from the restaurant, attempted to stop it but instead were lead to the University Hospital emergency room, where a man was rushed inside for treatment of knife wounds. At the restaurant, officers found three more men who'd been stabbed several times. At this point, Syracuse Police were also involved, trying to sort it out, and we're told some of the wounded were sent to other hospitals to keep them separated.
In all, four men were stabbed, but none of the injuries is considered life-threatening. Two 20 year olds, a 21- and a 25 year old were injured, one is treated and released, two are under observation and the fourth is already out of surgery.
So far, no word on what provoked the violence, and no word on the victims' identifications, but Dewitt Police ask anyone with information on the felony to email them TIPS@townofdewitt.com or call 425-2333 with information.
