Authorities reported that a 24-year-old man shot and killed his 80-year-old grandfather on Thursday before taking his own life. The incident forced police to close and evacuate a state park in New York for many hours while they looked for the man.
At an evening news conference, Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters announced that Andrew Vahey, 24, had passed away on a hiking route in Letchworth State Park as police closed in during a search that drew multiple law enforcement agencies along the Genesee River.
Vahey was wanted in connection with his grandfather Joseph Deponceau’s shooting death earlier in the day, according to Peters. Police responding to a 911 call discovered Deponceau’s body in his Irondequoit home.
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According to Peters, Vahey’s roommate reported to the police that he received texts from Vahey stating that he had killed his grandfather and intended to commit suicide.
Around 12:30 p.m., Vahey was seen by law enforcement authorities in the park with a long gun. When they attempted to speak with him, he turned the gun on himself, according to the chief.
He claimed that Deponceau and Vahey had lately been into a fight over land, and that last week, following a family argument over parking on the grass, Deponceau’s residence was visited by law enforcement.
