Police said Dwayne Frazier, 68, died after being shot on Palmer Avenue.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Two teenagers have been charged with murder in the shooting death of Dwayne Frazier, a 68-year-old Syracuse man found wounded April 15 on Palmer Avenue, police said.
Syracuse police said the case moved forward after detectives spent nearly two weeks interviewing people, searching neighborhoods, reviewing evidence and carrying out search warrants. The arrests mark the first public break in a killing that began with a shots-fired call and ended with a homicide investigation.
Officers were called to the 300 block of Palmer Avenue around 6 p.m. April 15 for a report of gunfire. They found Frazier with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition, but police later said he died from his injuries. Investigators blocked part of Palmer Avenue while they worked the scene, where evidence markers were placed near shell casings.
Police identified the suspects as Ayden Daily, 18, and a 16-year-old boy whose name was not released. Both were spotted April 27 at the James Geddes Housing complex, police said. The 16-year-old was taken into custody without incident. Daily ran from officers, police said, and was arrested after a brief foot chase. Police said Daily had a loaded handgun when he was arrested.
Daily and the 16-year-old were each charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Daily also faces an additional second-degree weapon possession charge tied to the loaded handgun police said he had during the arrest. The 16-year-old was taken to Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center, while Daily was taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center pending arraignment.
The case remains active, police said. Detectives have not released a motive, and officials have not said whether the recovered handgun is tied to Frazier’s shooting. Police also have not released details on what evidence led investigators to Daily and the younger teen.
Frazier’s death added another homicide case to Syracuse’s spring violence. The shooting drew a large police response on Palmer Avenue and left neighbors watching as officers collected evidence in the street. Police said the investigation is continuing through the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Unit.
The next step is expected in court, where prosecutors will outline the charges and detention status for the defendants. Police said investigators are still seeking information as the case moves forward.
Author note: Last updated April 30, 2026.