After the father of a Marist University student was shot dead in a hotel lobby in Poughkeepsie, New York on Sunday morning, police officers made a startling discovery. with killing.
Further investigation of the Courtyard by Marriott room found a handbook with instructions for creating explosives, and police quickly evacuated the hotel and expanded the search.
The victim, whose name was not immediately released by police, said he had children in Marist, less than five miles from the hotel, and had been at the hotel for school family weekends, football games, music and other events. I was staying… performances and picnics.
After being treated at the scene of the shooting, he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“This unspeakable violence in a hotel lobby shakes the conscience of the community,” Assistant District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
No other victims or actual explosives were found at the South Road hotel, and so far law enforcement officials have no idea what caused the shooting, or what they believed the men who arrested them had planned. I haven’t said much about being there.
Police officials said on Monday that several shots were fired and they were still investigating the incident that led to the shooting. said at the conference. “We believe this is a random act.”
A team of officers initially responded to a call to riot, opening fire at the hotel around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
One of the first officers at the scene saw a man later identified as Devin M. Taylor, 26, of Dutchess County, running into the hotel courtyard and chasing him. Police sources said Taylor was arrested at gunpoint after reaching out to his west porch and throwing down his handgun.
Later, another officer saw a second Dutchess County man, later identified by police as Roy A. Johnson, Jr., 35, coming down a hallway from an outdoor parking lot, police officials said. person said. He was also taken into custody.
Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree weapon possession. He is being held without bail. Mr. Taylor has been charged with two counts of second-degree weapon possession. His bail was set at $500,000 in cash, $1 million in bond, or $5 million in partially insured bond.
Both men have felony convictions. Mr. Johnson previously served time on charges of theft and burglary. Mr. Taylor has one felony conviction for robbery.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and extend the full support of the Marist community,” Marist University spokesman Anthony Proia said in an email Monday.
Kirsten Noyes Contributed to research.