Alexander Bolton, a 29-year-old male U.S. Army veteran, was a man who had faced the perils of war in Afghanistan only to have his life tragically cut short by gun violence in his hometown of Albany, New York. On the night of October 9, 2021, Bolton was killed in a mass shooting outside an illegal after-hours club known as The Lounge on North Lake Avenue.
The incident, which left six other people wounded, became the city's 15th homicide of the year.
Having grown up in the Capital Region, Alexander was remembered by his family as a multifaceted individual with a magnetic personality. He was a talented artist, a skilled chess player, and a captivating storyteller. His service with the 10th Mountain Division on the front lines in Afghanistan left him with significant injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and an autoimmune disorder that caused him constant pain. Despite these challenges, he remained a positive and cherished son, brother, and friend. Before his death, he had been planning to use the GI Bill to attend electrical engineering school.
The night he was killed, Alexander was visiting his father in Averill Park and had gone out with friends in Albany. The shooting erupted outside the North Lake Avenue establishment, and he was struck by gunfire. His mother recounted the heartbreaking detail that he had attempted to crawl to safety after being shot.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement officials investigated the incident, which was believed to have involved biker gangs. Ten individuals were arrested in connection with the shooting and faced weapons possession charges. In May 2025, a significant development occurred in the case when Collin Billingsley, who was also injured during the gunfire exchange, accepted a plea deal. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to 12 years in prison. Alexander's mother, who attended the hearing, expressed a sense of satisfaction with the plea deal and prepared to speak at the sentencing, ensuring her son's story would be heard.
