Stephen C. Phelps-Martans, a 37-year-old male, was a man known for his kind heart and a desire to help others, with a bubbly sense of humor that endeared him to those who knew him. An accomplished and talented drummer, his creative passions extended to art and all forms of music. His loving manner and spirited nature were cherished by his friends and family, who remember his instinct to protect the ones he loved.
On the afternoon of October 23, 2020, the Syracuse Police responded to a
call of a shooting on Westcott Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Stephen Phelps-Martans suffering from gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to Upstate University Hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The loss of Stephen, who was also a talented musician, left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends.
The Syracuse Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the homicide. Their efforts at the scene, which included interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence, led to the swift identification of a suspect. The following day, on October 24, 2020, a 17-year-old male was apprehended in the 2200 block of East Fayette Street. The teenage suspect was subsequently charged with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and attempted robbery in the first degree in connection with the death of Stephen Phelps-Martans.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect was also wanted for a separate incident that occurred on September 15, 2020. For this earlier event, he faced charges of assault in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. While an arrest was made, the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Stephen's death remained ongoing as they continued to build their case against the teenage suspect.
