The parent of a Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) student was shot and killed at a hotel just off campus during the school’s Family Weekend. Poughkeepsie Police report that the father of a student staying at Courtyard by Marriott not far from the school was shot and killed early Sunday morning.
Police arrested two male suspects at the hotel. “Two individuals that are in custody are known to law enforcement, having no association with the parent of student that we are aware of, and we do not believe that it is affiliated or associated with activities at Marist,” Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said. He added that both suspects are known to have gang ties.
A police report indicates that gunshots were reported being heard Sunday morning around 7;30AM inside and outside the hotel. Police searching the suspects’ room after the shooting located a manual on manufacturing an explosive device along with the necessary materials. The state police bomb squad was called in to secure the materials, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was notified of the findings.
Other parents staying at the hotel indicated that they were told to stay in their rooms and were placed in lockdown for several hours following the shooting.
Marist College issued a statement yesterday saying, “Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and we are offering the full support of the Marist community.”
Police say there is no ongoing threat to Marist College or the public. Multiple law enforcement agencies from Dutchess County continue to investigate the incident. Police have not yet released the name of the victim or suspects.
