Suspect in July Cortland Drive-By Shooting Surrenders to Police

Cortland Police say a suspect who had been sought for nearly two months in connection with a July 2 drive-by shooting on Union Street has surrendered to authorities.

Daryen J. Bethel, 19, of Cortland, surrendered himself to the Cortland Police Department on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, accompanied by his attorney. Police said Bethel was taken into custody without incident.

The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. Thursday, July 2, on Union Street near Owego Street.

Officers responded to the area of 47 Union Street after receiving reports of shots fired. According to police, a driver told officers that someone fired a handgun at his vehicle while he was traveling west on Union Street. The gunfire shattered the vehicle’s rear passenger-side window, and police said two passengers inside the vehicle were nearly struck.

The victim told investigators that the suspected shooter and an accomplice fled the scene in a red sedan driven by a female. The vehicle was last seen traveling north on Main Street.

An all-points bulletin was issued to law enforcement agencies following the shooting. Around 8:20 p.m., New York State Police located the suspect vehicle unoccupied at an address on Route 281 in the Town of Homer. The vehicle was impounded as evidence.

Officers and detectives collected statements from victims and witnesses and recovered security camera footage from nearby homes and businesses that captured portions of the incident.

At the time, Cortland Police Chief David Guerrera said the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack involving people associated with the shooter, but warned the public to use extreme caution if they encountered the suspects.

Police subsequently identified Bethel as the alleged shooter and 21-year-old Marcus D. Burns, of Homer, as the alleged accomplice. Neither suspect was initially in custody.

Over the past several months, Cortland Police detectives continued efforts to locate Bethel and bring the investigation to a safe resolution.

According to police, while Bethel was avoiding arrest, detectives maintained communication with him and remained in contact with members of his family. Through continued communication and investigative efforts, detectives were able to establish a level of cooperation that allowed Bethel to surrender safely.

The case was presented to a Cortland County Grand Jury on Aug. 7, 2026. An indictment was handed up charging Bethel with multiple counts of attempted assault in the first degree, attempted assault in the second degree, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, menacing in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

Bethel was arraigned in Cortland County Court and remanded to the Cortland County Jail.

He is scheduled to appear in Cortland County Court on Sept. 24, 2026.