UTICA — Two Utica men have been charged with felony assault — with more arrests expected — following a shootout in Utica in August, according to the Utica Police Department.

Police said Willie Linder, 36; Shakeal Hendricks, 30, and a 29-year-old man were engaged in a shootout with another group of people near the 1400 block of Whitesboro Street around 8:15 p.m. Aug. 16. At the time of the shootout, many people were gathered in the area for a candlelight vigil for a different, unrelated shooting victim from earlier that week.

During the shootout, police said a 12-year-old boy was struck in the face with a bullet, with the projectile becoming lodged in his jaw. The victim was taken to a Syracuse hospital for surgery for the non-life threatening injury. The boy and his parent were attending the vigil.

While police were investigating that victim, they said the 29-year-old was shot multiple times near Sunset and Oswego streets. Officers responded to the scene and police said the 29-year-old victim refused to cooperate or provide information about the gunmen. He was treated at a Utica hospital for his injuries, which were also not life-threatening.

In the aftermath of the gunfire, the Utica Police Major Crimes Unit and the Oneida County District Attorney's Office launched an extensive investigation, which led to criminal charges against Linder and Hendricks. Police said both men were picked up on warrants by the U.S. Marshal's Regional Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday.

Linder and Hendricks are both charged with one count each of first-degree assault and attempted first-degree assault, police said, and Hendricks has an additional charge of second-degree possession of a weapon. They are both scheduled to appear in Oneida County Court.

The investigation remains ongoing and police said additional arrests are expected.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Utica Police at 315-223-3556. Anonymous tips can also be sent to the website www.MohawkValleyCrimeStoppers.com or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-730-8477.