Innocent dad killed in Poughkeepsie shooting while visiting his son identified as Paul Kutz
Warning: This content contains a recollection of crime that can be triggering to some readers. Discretion is advised.
POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK: The man, who was shot dead in LongIsland on Sunday, October 3, has been identified as Paul Kutz, a 53-year-old father. He worked as a certified public accountant (CPA). He was at Poughkeepsie to visit his son at Marist College for the annual family weekend.
According to New York Post, Kutz was killed while standing inside the lobby of a local courtyard Marriot. He was shot in the chest and torso during a fight between two homeless men inside the hotel. Two men, Devin Taylor, 26, and Roy Johnson, 35 who have a criminal history were arrested on the spot pertaining to the incident.
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The violence inside the hotel happened after one of the suspects, Johnson got into an argument with some of the workers at the hotel at 7.30 am in the morning on Sunday, October 2 when he pulled the trigger and unfortunately struck Kutz. Police Chief Joseph Cavaliere has described it as a "random act." Though Kutz was taken to MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, he was declared dead.
According to NBC, Johnson used a handgun that was modified with a Glock switch that fills the gun automatically. Meanwhile, the Glock switch is illegal to use in the country. The investigators believed that the duo also possessed Tannerite, which is used in long-range target practice and explodes upon impact. Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Whereas Taylor was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for carrying a loaded rifle with no serial number reports DailyMail. Johnson was remanded without bail and Taylor was remanded on $1,000,000 bond. The duo is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, October 7.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro spoke to CBS and said, "Two individuals that are in custody are known to law enforcement, having no association with the parent of a student that we are aware of, and we do not believe that it is affiliated or associated with activities at Marist."
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting police and the district attorney's office in the investigation and it is believed that there is no active threat to the public. One of the senior enforcement official has revealed that the duo has been using PCP-like substance prior to the incident in their room. The team has also found bomb-making equipment along with a 'ghost gun' rifle in one of the rooms at the hotel.
Marist college confirmed the death of the parent and wrote in a mail to the college students, “This morning, authorities made us aware of the tragic, fatal shooting of a family member of a Marist student at a local hotel several miles from campus," the college wrote. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and we are offering the full support of the Marist community."