May 21, 2008 7:31 pm US/Eastern
BB Shots Fired At N.Y. State Senator's Office
Yonkers Police Investigating 3 Incidents Aimed At Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Police are investigating three disturbing incidents that occurred at the Yonkers office of Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins which have raised anxiety and concern. (File)
senate.state.ny.us
Police are investigating three disturbing incidents that occurred at the Yonkers office of Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins which have raised anxiety and concern.
In early April, someone tried to access a computer in the lobby of her 2nd floor suite. Two weeks later, officials tell CBS 2's Tony Aiello, a rock or a BB shot went through a window while a staffer sat nearby. On April 30, a second window was also hit.
Commissioner Edward Hartnett said Stewart-Cousins was out of the office for each of the incidents last month, but "we are concerned, certainly, with the senator's safety and her staffers'."
"It's clear to me that the office itself is being highlighted or targeted in some way," he added. "Is it related to the senator or some of our staffers? That's part of our ongoing investigation."
Stewart-Cousins was not in the office during any of the incidents.
Police say she's been targeted by pro-life protestors recently and perhaps the incidents stem from that.
"They have been peaceful, they have been policed. I can't say that is the connection, but it there has been some highlighting of the office for public demonstration," said Hartnett.
But in the same building, the office of pro-choice Assemblyman Mike Spano has not ben disturbed or damaged.
Yonkers police say security has been increased, but they refuse to discuss details. They hope to meet soon with Stewart-Cousins as they move forward with the investigation.
Stewart-Cousins is a democrat serving her first term representing most of Yonkers and part of Greenburg. She won a tight race in 2006 and plans to run for re-election this fall.
Her time in office has been uncontroversial – if the incidents are linked, it's not clear what the motive might be.
Staffers believe the shootings were timed for when the senator was supposed to be in the office. They won't say what additional safety precautions have been put into place.
On Thursday, Stewart-Cousins will be joined by the Senate Minority Leader Malcom Smith at a press conference in Yonkers urging the public to come forward to help police locate suspects.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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