Watertown Police Launch Manhunt for Two Armed and Dangerous Suspects Following Targeted Shooting and Stabbing

Watertown police identify Howard Cowans and Gavin Collins as suspects in the shooting and stabbing of a 36 year old man. Suspects are armed and dangerous.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WWNYTV

Violent Encounter on Burchard Street Triggers Emergency Response

A late night confrontation in a residential area of Watertown escalated into a severe double assault involving both a firearm and a bladed weapon. Local police units were dispatched to the 600 block of Burchard Street at approximately 11:27 PM on Monday following reports of a violent struggle. Upon arrival, emergency responders located a 36 year old male from Lafargeville who had sustained life threatening injuries from being both shot and stabbed during the encounter.

Critical Medical Transport and Specialized Care

Due to the severity of the trauma, the victim was initially rushed to Samaritan Medical Center before being stabilized and transferred to SUNY Upstate Hospital in Syracuse. This transfer to a regional level trauma center suggests the injuries required advanced surgical intervention beyond local capacity. While the current condition of the man has not been publicly updated, the coordination between the Watertown City Fire Department and Guilfoyle ambulance services ensured he received immediate life saving measures at the scene of the assault.

Identification of Primary Suspects and Known Associations

The Watertown Police Department has formally identified 48 year old Howard Cowans, also known by the alias "JC," and 25 year old Gavin Collins as the primary suspects in the case. Investigators have confirmed that both men were known to the victim prior to the incident, indicating that the violence was not a random act. Cowans is described as having a bald head and beard but is known to utilize dreadlock wigs as a disguise, while Collins is noted for having blue eyes and wearing his hair in natural dreadlocks.