Three individuals arrested stemming a gun/weapon complaint

On July 13, 2025, at approximately 10:08 a.m., troopers responded to Beebe Road in the town of Hopkinton following a report of a male who had suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his knee. An investigation revealed that 28-year-old James H. Wells from Potsdam, NY, had unlawfully possessed a firearm and shot himself in the knee. Wells was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where he was treated and subsequently released.

Further investigation indicated that 39-year-old Matthew B. Deshaw of St. Regis Falls, NY, took the firearm used by Wells and removed it from the scene. Deshaw then gave the firearm to 37-year-old Matthew R. Parker, also of St. Regis Falls, who was now in possession of the firearm unlawfully. Parker was in possession of the firearm used by Wells and State Police located a ghost gun in his possession as well. 

James H. Wells was arrested and transported to SP Canton for processing. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and illegal discharge of a firearm. He was released on an appearance ticket, which is returnable to the Town of Hopkinton Court for a later date in August.

Matthew B. Deshaw was arrested and transported to SP Canton for processing. He was charged with tampering with physical evidence and was also released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hopkinton Court for a later date in August.

Matthew R. Parker was arrested and transported to SP Canton for processing. He was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (due to a previous conviction) and criminal possession of a firearm. He was arraigned in the Town of Potsdam Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.