4 people shot dead in upstate NY - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Police kill upstate New York rampage suspect

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New York State Police in Herkimer released a photo of Kurt R. Myers New York State Police in Herkimer released a photo of Kurt R. Myers

In a shootout Thursday morning, police killed the man suspected of shooting six people at a car wash and a barbershop, authorities said. 

At about 8 a.m., police stormed the building where Kurt Myers, 64, had holed up after the rampage Wednesday afternoon, Trooper Jack Keller said.

Authorities said Myers fired through a basement door, killing an FBI dog. Keller said police returned fire, killing the suspect. No cops or FBI agents were hurt.

"We commend the courage and extraordinary efforts of the state police, the FBI, and local law enforcement officials in finding the suspect and ending this horrific spree of violence and bloodshed," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "It is now time for mourning those who we lost in this senseless act of violence. In the darkest of times, the bravery, kindness, and the spirit of community of New Yorkers shines the brightest, and that is what we saw yesterday in Herkimer and Mohawk as the community came together during this difficult time."

Authorities found guns and ammunition inside Meyers' apartment after emergency crews were sent to a fire there Wednesday morning, officials said.

Soon after, Myers shot four people at John's Barber Shop in Mohawk, around the corner from the apartment, killing two, police said.

Police identified the barber victims as Harry Montgomery, 68, and Michael Ransear, 57, who were killed; and John Seymour and Dan Haslauer, who were critically wounded.

Officials said that the second shooting happened about a mile away in Herkimer, where Myers shot and killed two people at Gaffey's Fast Lube and Car Wash.

Police identified those victims as Thomas Stefka and Michael Renshaw.

Herkimer County Community College and local schools were on lock down. The college sent an automated phone alert around 10:40 a.m., telling students and staff that there was an "active shooter" in the area. The message identified the gunman as a man in his 60s, with a white beard and driving a red Jeep Cherokee. A text alert a few minutes later said the campus was on lock down. Another alert advised people to remain inside buildings until further notice.

Herkimer is named for the German immigrant family that settled in the western Mohawk Valley in the 1720s. The economically distressed villages are two miles away from Ilion, where a 2-century-old Remington Arms gun plant is a major employer.

Copyright 2013 MyFoxNY.com/The Associated Press.

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