A shooting spree across two towns in upstate New York today has left four people dead, following and explosion and blaze at the apparent home of the alleged gunman.
The shootings occurred in Herkimer County, one in the village of Mohawk and another in the nearby village of Herkimer, reports WSYR. A standoff is ensuing at a building in Herkimer:
#AP: More gunshots heard in #Herkimer during search for gunman.
— FOX News Radio (@foxnewsradio) March 13, 2013
The victims have now been named:
Mohawk Location
Harry Montgomery – deceased, age 68
Michael Rancier – deceased, age 57
John Seymour – critical condition
Dan Haslauer – critical condition
Herkimer Location
Thomas Stefka – deceased
Michael Renshaw – deceased
The suspect remains on the loose.
Here’s what we know so far…
1. The Main Suspect is Kurt Meyers
Kurt Meyers, 64, from Mohawk.
Kurt Meyers, a 64-year-old Mohawk resident, has been ID’d as the alleged shooter. He allegedly fled the scene of the second shooting in a maroon jeep, and the vehicle was retrieved by law enforcement. Meyers remains on the loose. He’s described as having a white beard and white hair, wearing black boots, blue jeans and a flannel shirt.
Woman who knew Herkimer shooting suspect says he was known as a loner. Says she had concerns about him.
— Alex Dunbar (@AlexDunbarNews) March 13, 2013
2. The Shooting in Mohawk Occurred at a Barber Shop
The barber shop in Mohawk. Photo via WKTV.
The first shooting took place at a barber shop in Mohawk, where four people were shot. Two died and two survived.
3. The Shooting in Herkimer Occurred in a Car Wash
Gaffy’s Clean Car Center in the village Herkimer.
The second shooting took place at Gaffy’s Clean Car Center in Herkimer, where two people were shot, both fatally.
4. In Total Six People Have Been Shot
Photo via WKTV
Four people were shot in the barber shop with two fatalities, two were wounded. We have no updates on the status of the survivors. Two were then shot and killed at the car wash.
5. An Explosion and Fire Occurred on South Washington Street in Mohawk
Photo via Press Connect.
Police say suspect in the #Herkimer NY shootings is Kurt Meyers. Source tells #CNN that he blew up his home in Mohawk Valley.
— Sara Pratley (@cnnsara) March 13, 2013
Prior to the shootings, there was an explosion and fire at a residence in Mohawk. It’s being speculated that the blaze occurred at the gunman’s home. Several guns were retrieved from the address. The fire was reported to have started at 9:45 a.m. The Utica O.D reports:
Reports indicate the suspect lived in that building; police were seen taking about half a dozen long guns from the residence shortly before 11 a.m. but would not confirm if they belonged to the suspect.
6. Police Have Surrounded a Building in Their Search for the Suspect
According to the Utica Observer-Dispatch, police and SWAT teams are closing in on Freddy’s Jewelers on Main Street in Herkimer.
7. Local Schools Have Been Put on Lockdown
All schools in Herkimer, Mohawk, Ilion and Frankfort, NY on lockdown after mass shooting spree in area.
— Scott McClellan (@alastormspotter) March 13, 2013
8. Herkimer and Mohawk are Separated by the Mohawk River
Both villages are located about 65 miles east of Syracuse.
9. The Murders are Believed to Have Been Carried Out with a Long Gun
Police describe the murder weapon as a “long gun,” meaning a rifle or shotgun.
10. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has Arrived at the Scene
Gov. Cuomo has left scene of scheduled news conference, went to location in Herkimer bit.ly/ZIsXhW #BreakingNews #HerkimerShooting
— WSYR-TV Syracuse (@NewsChannel9) March 13, 2013