Staff Reports

It’s an unfortunate fact of life.  Things get stolen.  Police officers do their best, but it’s impossible to completely prevent.  However, a theft yesterday lead to wild rumors of an active shooter incident in Albany.

Michael Giovonti reportedly noticed an AK-47 type rifle missing from his car, along with ammunition, his wallet, and a power drill yesterday morning.  He reported it to police, which would surprise no one.  What happened afterwards?  That was a bit of a surprise.

Rumors began to spread around Facebook and other social media that someone was shooting up parts of Albany with the stolen AK-47.  Some Albanians received text messages at work, where they didn’t have access to Facebook, notifying them of the “situation”.  However, there have still been no reports of any kind of shooting with the weapon.

Giovonti has reportedly said he thinks he knows who has the weapon, and that he considers this person “unstable”.  Speculation by someone who is also familiar with this individual as to what could happen may well have been heard as fact by someone else, therefore spurred rumors of a madman blasting away at parts of North Gordon.

Anyone who has any information about this is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 436-TIPS