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North Main Street fully re-opens as community tries to return to normalcy

By NEWSChannel 2 Staff

Story Created: Mar 18, 2013 at 1:26 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 1:26 PM EDT

HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - The community is attempting to return to some semblance of normalcy following the tragic shooting spree in Herkimer County last week.

For the first time since the standoff with shooting suspect Kurt Myers in the former Glory Days bar on North Main Street, the road was fully re-opened Monday morning. The 200 block of the North Main had been closed off for days following the standoff as the investigation continued.

Myers is the man authorities say set fire to his South Washington Street home in Mohawk, shot four people in John's Barbershop on Main Street in Mohawk, killing two of them and then shooting and killing two people at Gaffey's Car Wash on Mohawk Street in the Village of Herkimer. Authorities say Myers then began a roughly 20 hours standoff with police inside the former bar in Herkimer until authorities raided the building around 8 a.m. on Thursday. Myers opened fire on authorities, shooting and killing a K9 named Ape, and law enforcement returned fire, shooting and killing Myers.

Authorities still have no motive for what prompted Myers' actions.

While North Main Street may be back open to regular traffic once again, the memories of what happened last week remain fresh in the minds of many, especially those who live and work in the area.

"It was really bad," said Sharon Spella, a lifelong resident of Herkimer.

Spella said her daughter lives on the 200 block of North Main Street.

"I couldn't get ahold of her," she said. "She's okay. I'm glad its over and everything's going back to normal, I hope."

Several other residents in the area on Monday echoed Spella's sentiment, saying they hope things can get back to something close to normal.

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