Valley Shooting Spree

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Law enforcement commended, still no clear motive in Valley killings

By NEWSChannel 2 Staff

Story Created: Mar 14, 2013 at 10:53 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 14, 2013 at 1:27 PM EDT

HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - At a media address Thursday morning, local and state authorities discussed the events that led to the shooting death of multiple homicide suspect Kurt Myers.

Held up in a building on North Main Street for roughly 20 hours after authorities say he shot six people, killing four in the villages of Herkimer and Mohawk, Myers was still inside the building around 8 a.m. Thursday morning when law enforcement swarmed into the building. State Police say Myers was ready and waiting when at least 40 armed and armored law enforcement officers stormed the main floor of the former Glory Days bar. Authorities say Myers opened fire on law enforcement, hitting and killing a K9 who was entering with officers. Law enforcement returned fire, shooting and killing Myers.

Local law enforcement, State Police and the FBI were among the numerous agencies involved in the standoff.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families," said Herkimer and Mohawk Police Chief Joseph Malone, who also expressed great thanks to all law enforcement for putting in many hours in cold temperatures as the case and subsequent stand off continued.

Herkimer County District Attorney Jeff Carpenter echoed the sentiments of Joseph D'Amico of the New York State Police, calling the actions by police Thursday morning in Herkimer "nothing short of heroic."

"When something like this occurs, our community comes together," D.A. Carpenter said. "The fact that this ended the way it did is a testament to the law enforcement community. Our prayers go out to the surviving victims."

Authorities said that at this time, they still have no clear motive for Myers actions and are still working to determine why he set fire to his home on South Washington Street in Mohawk, then shot four people at John's Barbershop on Main Street in Mohawk, killing two of them, critically injuring two more, and then driving to Gaffey's Car Wash where they say he shot and killed two more people before beginning the 20 hour standoff with law enforcement on North Main Street in Herkimer.

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