Police have arrested 21-year-old Sadiem Wood of Troy. They said he's the man who shot and killed Zechariah Banks at a house party on Second Street in Albany last month. Shortly after Banks' death, his family took action, urging the community to share what they knew. Police said that helped in their investigation.
Tonight the Banks family gathered in their Troy backyard. Now and then they glanced toward the street, waiting for one more to show.
"I look at this gate and think he's coming, he'll be here in a minute but it's not going to happen," said Shirley Banks, the victim's mother.
Shirley Banks' son Zechariah was shot and killed two weeks ago on Second Street in Albany. Shirley hit the streets pleading for someone to step up with answers. A week later, police said they have one, arresting 21-year-old Sadiem Wood of Troy. They said he shot Banks in the chest, taking two gold chains he wore.
"They did get some lack of cooperation at the start from people who were at that party in the basement so it did take a like more time," said Detective James Miller with the Albany Police.
He said Zechariah's family, and their message probably helped.
"Any time you have a large group like a party in a basement, it's always helpful when people come forward and they give information," he said.
Banks said she's relieved, but it's not over. Now she wants justice. She said she'll be in court until Wood is behind bars. And she's hoping to get another answer.
"I would ask him why, why, why," she said.
And why the violence continues. She's urging people to take their city's back, talk to police and not be afraid.
"The ones with guns are punks, the one that shot my son is a punk he's not a man," she said. "You have to speak up, you have to because if you don't it's going to continue."
Wood was arraigned in city court this morning on 1st degree murder and robbery charges. Police said they think Wood and Banks had a confrontation earlier in the night, but it's not clear if they knew each other.
