APD asks for community's help to close homicide

The Albany Police Department is leaning on the community, for help closing a homicide case that left one person dead.

Police have yet to make an arrest in the August 11th homicide case of Gary Jefferies.

Friday, police hosted a press conference pleading with the community for their help.

"We're asking. We need the help of our community," said Keithen Hall, Commander of the Robbery/Homicide Unit.

Police looking for any information to help catch whoever is responsible for the shooting death of 45-year-old Gary Jefferies. Police said Jefferies was found shot, lying unconscious and not breathing in a backyard on Mercer Avenue.

"I got to put my community first when we get to this point. I need your assistance to help me help you," said Hall.

Police said they talked with neighbors and people in that community but no one wanted to give specific names. Keithen Hall, Commander of the Robbery/Homicide Unit, expressed his frustrations about getting the public to speak up.

"I am frustrated because of the fact I feel like the information that is given to law enforcement is getting harder and harder to obtain," said Hall.

Hall said he doesn't know how to overcome this obstacle.

"I don't know if it's cultural. I don't know if it's that people are just afraid to just come down and contact the police," said Hall.

But Hall wants to remind you to put yourself in the family of the victim's shoes.

"It might not be you today, but tomorrow it might be someone in your family and you want my team and I to come out and do the best job we possibly can," said Hall.

Hall explained he has a heavy heart, seeing his hometown community be hesitant to release information who he calls the city's protectors.

"We only as strong as our community makes us," said Hall.

Hall said you can go to the law enforcement center and talk with officers or call crime stoppers and remain anonymous but any information is valuable.