Motherly love usually means packing a lunch or giving out advice—not driving the getaway car in a gang shooting. Yet that’s exactly what Jennifer Lackard, a now-former top New York public safety official, stands accused of doing. Investigators say she acted as the getaway driver for her son, Chase Lackard, after he allegedly shot at a rival gang member outside a Bronx courthouse.
Jennifer Lackard was appointed deputy commissioner of public safety, overseeing community affairs and wellness for the city of Mount Vernon in 2020 during the George Floyd protests, ABC 7 New York reported. She served two terms on Community Board 9 in the Bronx, helped mentor wives whose husbands are incarcerated, according to reports, and heavily focused on police reform and outreach.
However, her distinguished reputation was tarnished when she was arrested at her home early Tuesday morning. Investigators say that on June 29, Lackard acted as the getaway driver for her 20-year-old son, Chase, helping him flee the scene after he allegedly carried out a gang-related shooting in broad daylight.
According to the indictment, Lackard and her husband, James, drove their son to the Grand Concourse and helped him plan a hit, as reported by CBS News. Investigators said Lackard and her son exchanged texts, with Chase allegedly writing, “Be directly in front when I leave.”
“When?” his mother allegedly texted back, according to the indictment NBC 4 reported. “You can’t just stand out front. The timing has to be right.” Prosecutors said Chase, clad in a black mask, rolled down his backseat window and opened fire into a crowd before Lackard allegedly sped away in a tan Chrysler Pacifica. The outlet reported Chase had appeared in the Bronx court on a prior gun charge the very same day he allegedly opened fire on the crowd outside.
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Following the reported shooting, Lackard allegedly drove her family to the Soundview section of the Bronx—about five miles southeast of the Bronx County Courthouse—where her son allegedly changed clothes before entering a building on Boynton Ave, Police1.com reported. His parents allegedly ditched the Chrysler before walking to a waiting black SUV, per court documents.
Police said no one was injured, however, Lackard and her son now face serious charges.
Lackard has been charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. After pleading not guilty at her arraignment, her bail was set at $75,000 cash. She is due back in court in September.
During her hearing, her attorney argued that Lackard has been dedicated to her community for decades. “Ms. Lackard has, for 20 years, dedicated her professional life to the health and healing of impacted communities,” her attorney said, ABC 7 New York reported.
Hours after her arrest on Tuesday, the Mount Vernon Police Department announced Lackard has been terminated, effective immediately.
Chase Lackard—who had multiple run-ins with law enforcement, including being shot by police twice in the leg after he allegedly pointed his .9-mm pistol at officers, police said—faces attempted murder, attempted assault, six counts of weapons possession, conspiracy and reckless endangerment charges.
Chase, an alleged member of the “Slutty Gang,” was also shot after he allegedly demanded to know which gang three boys belonged to and attempted to drag one of them off a bus in 2023, Fox News reported. After he was shot in the chest, a 14-year-old rival gang member was later charged with attempted murder, according to The Guardian. Chase is being held without bail, and his next court date is Sept. 25.
Chase’s father, James, was named in the indictment for the June 29 incident, but authorities stated that he was not in custody in New York when Jennifer and Chase were arrested.
