Jennifer Lackard, the deputy police commissioner for safety in Mount Vernon, New York, was fired on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, after being accused of acting as a getaway driver for her son in an incident under investigation as attempted murder.

According to a statement from the city of Mount Vernon posted on Instagram, Lackard was terminated for conduct "unrelated to her duties." Lackard, 49, and her 20-year-old son, Chase Lackard, were arrested earlier that day during an early morning raid at their home in the Bronx borough of New York City, as reported by the New York Daily News citing police sources.

The pair face multiple charges including attempted murder, attempted assault, gun possession, conspiracy, and reckless endangerment. These charges relate to an incident on June 29th, 2026, when shots were fired at a group of people outside Bronx criminal court. Chase Lackard is alleged to have been the gunman and reportedly fled the scene by jumping into a car driven at speed by his mother.

The Mount Vernon police department acknowledged awareness of the criminal charges filed by the Bronx county district attorney’s office against Jennifer Lackard.

Additional background on Chase Lackard reveals a history of violent incidents: in January 2023, at age 17, he was reportedly shot in the chest during a dispute over gang signs on a bus. In November 2024, police in the Bronx shot Chase after responding to a large fight, during which he allegedly pointed a 9mm pistol at an officer’s car.

According to the See Through NY government transparency website, Jennifer Lackard earned a salary of $138,219 in 2025.

Sources