Public safety official arrested for allegedly helping son flee shooting: Police

A public safety official for a New York state police department faces criminal charges, including attempted murder, for allegedly helping her son flee a gang-related shooting in New York City, according to authorities.

Jennifer Lackard was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a shooting last month in the Bronx, police said. The Mount Vernon official is accused of being the getaway driver for her son, the alleged gunman, police told ABC New York station WABC. No one was injured, police said.

Lackard, 49, worked for the Mount Vernon Police Department's public safety department as the deputy commissioner of wellness. She has been terminated effective immediately, the police department said Tuesday.

"The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities," the Mount Vernon Police Department said in a statement.

The police department said it will not comment on the allegations in the case, being prosecuted by the Bronx County District Attorney's Office, due to the active investigation.

Lackard and her son, 20-year-old Chase Lackard, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy and reckless endangerment, the New York Police Department said.

The two have yet to be arraigned. An attorney for Lackard said she was unable to speak at this time, while an attorney who is representing her son in a separate case was unable to be reached for comment.

Police alleged that Lackard's son opened fire toward a group of individuals just before midnight on June 29. He was allegedly aiming at a rival gang member but did not strike anyone, police told WABC. He is accused of then fleeing the scene in a vehicle being driven by Lackard, according to police.