OLEAN, N.Y. — Olean police are still seeking a suspect in connection to a public shooting in broad daylight Tuesday evening.
Police announced Wednesday they are seeking Marcus A. Hicks, 36, of Olean, to arrest him in connection to a shooting on the 600 block of West State Street.
“If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Hicks please call the Olean Police Department at 716-376-5677 or 911. Do not approach Hicks as he is considered armed and dangerous,” police said in their public notice.
City officials reported Tuesday evening that two men — one believed to be Hicks — were walking along West State Street and began fighting, with Hicks pulling a handgun and firing five or six shots. The other man declined treatment at the scene. Police said Wednesday morning that Hicks fled the scene with a woman.
Capt. Robert Blovsky said that the search was continuing in the afternoon and involved several law enforcement agencies.
“We have several sources that led us to arriving at Hicks for our guy,” Blovksy said. “There were a lot of witnesses, the victim is cooperative and video in the area” indicated Hicks.
Police are unsure if he remains in the Olean area or if he has possibly traveled to Buffalo.
Blovksy said he will consult with the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office on charges, but Blovsky said they will be serious.
“This was by the grace of God that no one was actually struck by a bullet,” Blovsky said, noting “that time of day has several pedestrians and cars going by.”
Western New York Glass & Door Co., at 519 W. State St., was struck by several rounds in the altercation, including several to the exterior wall and one bullet going through a glass door and into a wall.
Once apprehended, this would not be the first time Hicks has faced serious charges.
According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision database of inmates, Hicks has served several sentences in state prison since the 2000s.
In one case, Hicks was sentenced in 2014 to 1.5 to 3 years in state prison for second-degree attempted assault, a class E felony, involving a law enforcement official in the town of Olean.
“He has some felonies,” Blovsky said, noting the attempted assault case. “He fought with his parole officer a few years back.”
