In the early morning hours of Thursday, October 12, 2023, the city of Ithaca was shaken by a fatal act of violence. Ernest Lankford, a 45-year-old man, was shot and killed near the intersection of West Seneca Street and North Plain Street. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., was not considered a random act by investigators, suggesting that Lankford may have been targeted.
Residents of the area awoke to a significant police presence as officers cordoned off the scene.
Investigators worked to piece together the events that led to the shooting, marking the locations of seven shell casings found in the street. In the days that followed, the Ithaca Police Department confirmed they were actively investigating the homicide but remained tight-lipped about specific details, including any potential suspects.
As of late October 2023, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting death of Ernest Lankford. The investigation was described as 'quite active and ongoing' by the acting police chief. Lankford, a father of five, was mourned by his family, who described his death as a 'senseless act of violence' and a 'tragic loss.' Family members organized online fundraisers to help with funeral expenses and to support his children. The community was left seeking answers as police continued their efforts to identify and apprehend the individual or individuals responsible for his death.
