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Names of victims released in fatal Valley shootings

By NEWSChannel 2 Staff

Story Created: Mar 13, 2013 at 5:31 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 13, 2013 at 10:21 PM EDT

HERKIMER and MOHAWK, N.Y. (WKTV) - Authorities have released the names of those killed Wednesday morning after two shootings in Herkimer County.

According to Joe D'Amico of New York State Police, Kurt Myers, 65, of Mohawk, had attempted to set fire to the apartment building he lives in on South Washington Street in Mohawk.

Everyone in the building escaped safely, but authorities say Myers then, armed with a long gun, went to John's Barbershop on Main Street in Mohawk, had words with people inside, and opened fire, shooting and killing two patrons and injuring two other people.

State Police have identified the victims who died in the barbershop shooting as customers Harry Montgomery, 68, of Mohawk, and Michael Ransear, 57, of Herkimer. Ransear is a retired Corrections Officer.

John Seymour, owner of the barbershop, was shot and injured. He was originally listed in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, but was upgraded to fair condition Wednesday night.

Dan Haslauer, a customer at the barbershop was also shot and injured. He is listed in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

Authorities said Myers then got into his vehicle and drove to Gaffey's Jiffy Lube on Mohawk Street in the Village of Herkimer, where he opened fire, hitting and killing Thomas Stefka, an employee in his 60s, and Michael Renshaw, a man State Police said was in his 40s and is a 20 year veteran of the Department of Corrections.

Myers then fled the scene, authorities said, and his vehicle was found abandoned on North Main Street in Herkimer just before Noon on Wednesday. Portions of the area were then roped off as authorities searched for Myers in that area as well as surrounding neighborhoods and dwellings. He was believed to be held up inside a building that one time housed the Glory Days bar. Authorities tried to make communication with Myers for hours, with no progress.

"The day is not done and it will not be done until Mr Myers is apprehended," Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference Wednesday evening.

According to the Herkimer County 911 center, they are opening a shelter for the individuals who have been evacuated in the village of Herkimer as a result of the standoff. Starting at 8 p.m., there will be a shelter open at Herkimer County Community College in the Rec Gym.

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