Residents React To Rome Murders, Brooklyn Man Charged
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WKTV News
Story Created:
Mar 9, 2008 at 6:24 PM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 9, 2008 at 7:49 PM EST
There is more information about the large fight in Rome that killed two people and injured several more. Residents also reacted Saturday, saying they do not think their safety is in jeopardy because of this one incident.
The second victim has been identified as 24-year-old Judson Watkins of Syracuse. He was found dead outside of the Denny's parking lot in Rome Saturday morning, along with 27-year-old Daniel Hernandez of Rome.
Police say four other people were taken to the area hospitals. Two have been released, while two others remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Rome police say they have also made one arrest. Joshua Diggs of Brooklyn, New York is now in police custody and is being charged with second degree murder.
Police say the fight started around three in the morning right outside of the Denny's on South James Street. When officers arrived, they found six men with various injuries, including stab wounds.
We spoke to some Rome residents Saturday about their thoughts on this incident. Most say this is not a reflection of what happens in Rome.
We spoke to Rome Mayor Jim Brown who had this to say: "The situation is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the families of the victims. While we have received calls about crime in that area, I want people to know that this is an isolated incident."
He says the old restaurant's owners use to hire an off-duty police officer to patrol the parking lot on the weekends, to prevent incidents like this from happening. Brown says he's not sure if this was the case Saturday morning.
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