Update: Victim and suspects in city shooting identified

PLATTSBURGH | Two people have been arrested in connection with an early morning shooting that claimed the life of a 31-year-old Plattsburgh man. The deadly confrontation on Cornelia Street happened at about 2:20 a.m., leaving Markus Dixon shot multiple times. He was treated on scene for gunshot wounds to the chest before being rushed to the University of Vermont Health Network's Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Within just a matter of hours, a multi-agency law enforcement collaboration identified the alleged shooter and accomplice and tracked them to a Route 9 motel in Beekmantown. After a brief standoff, the pair ultimately surrendered as the Tri-County SRT, Plattsburgh City Police and New York State Police surrounded the motel. Authorities believe the shooter, Chazz Johnson, 24, confronted Dixon after the victim had an altercation with Johnson's girlfriend, 21-year-old Erica Colon outside a downtown business earlier in the night. According to Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie, Johnson and Colon were staying at the motel where they were found and in possession of a handgun that reportedly matched ballistics evidence at the shooting scene. Johnson is now facing charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Colon was charged with conspiracy and possession of a weapon. The pair was arraigned in Plattsburgh City Court Tuesday night and remain in custody. As Dixon's family and friends now mourn the loss, an autopsy is scheduled to be performed at Glens Falls Hospital Wednesday morning. As the impacted Cornelia Street area remained closed to traffic through Tuesday morning, a precautionary lockdown at the hospital was lifted after the suspects were taken into custody. Hospital administrators said the decision was made in consultation with local law enforcement. "While the hospital was never under immediate threat, precautions were quickly taken to maintain the safety of patients and employees while police searched for the suspect. The hospital worked to ensure the impact to patients and staff was minimal. Once the suspect was arrested, the lockdown was lifted," CVPH officials said in an 11:30 a.m. statement. "We're grateful for our team's quick work to keep our patients and each other safe. We are also deeply appreciative to local law enforcement for their partnership," says Brenda Murphy, Chief Quality and Safety Officer at CVPH. Authorities and the community commended local law enforcement for the swift investigation and arrests as the deadly tragedy rocked the downtown and surrounding communities. Editor's Note: This article was updated at 5:20 p.m. following a press conference where the victim and suspects were identified and further details of the case were released.

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Update: Victim and suspects in city shooting identified

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