The DeWitt Police Department reports that on November 14, 2020 at about 9:20a.m.,
Officers were dispatched to 6840 E. Genesee St. for a Menacing Complaint. It was reported
that a male, later identified as Jonathan Almonte, 33 of DeWitt, NY had threatened a
neighbor with a machete.
Upon the Officers arrival, Almonte barricaded himself in the upstairs portion of the
apartment building, where Almonte and the victim’s apartments are both located. The
victim was able to safely get out of the building.
A DeWitt Police Crisis Negotiator communicated with Almonte for about three hours
attempting to have him come out peacefully. During such time, Almonte entered into the
victim’s unoccupied apartment and an adjacent storage room and began throwing items out
of a second story window and threatened to burn the building down. Other than Almonte,
everyone in the building, and neighboring buildings were evacuated. A short time later,
Almonte set a fire inside of the building, causing damage.
At about 12:15pm, Almonte exited the front door of the apartment building, holding a
machete. Officers ordered Almonte to drop the machete numerous times, but he refused
and began to run in the direction of Officers who were surrounding the building. Officers
deployed tasers to attempt to stop Almonte, which were unsuccessful. A DeWitt Officer
discharged one round from their duty firearm, but did not strike Almonte. Almonte then
threw the machete in the direction of multiple officers, nearly striking them, after which the
Officers were able to take Almonte into custody without further incident.
During the investigation, information was developed that there was possibly bomb making
materials within the apartment building. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Unit
responded and cleared the scene. No bomb making materials were located.
Jonathan Almonte was arrested and charged with Arson 3rd Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree,
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, Menacing 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 4th
Degree, Attempted Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Harassment
2nd Degree. Almonte will be lodged at the Onondaga County Justice Center awaiting
arraignment.
No one was injured as a result of this incident.
Per the DeWitt Police Department policy, the name of the Officer who discharged their
firearm will not be released for 72 hours.
The DeWitt Police Department was assisted by the New York State Police, Onondaga County
Sheriff’s Office, Manlius Police Department, NYS Parks Police, DeWitt Fire Department, East
Syracuse Fire Department, Fayetteville Fire Department, Manlius Fire Department and AMR
Ambulance.
If anyone has information regarding the incident, the Dewitt Police Department encourages
them to contact the Dewitt Police Department at (315)449-3640 or by email at
[email protected].