IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — A 24-year-old Irondequoit man is dead after having killed his 80-year-old grandfather Thursday morning at the grandfather’s home and then fleeing to Letchworth State Park, where police say he shot and killed himself.

Andrew Vahey, 24, was being sought for the murder, for which the victim was his grandfather, Jon DePonceau, Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters said in a press conference at 6 p.m.

“People in that family, at the same time, lost a grandfather and also lost a grandson,” Peters said.

Police found DePonceau dead Thursday morning at his home at 500 Pinegrove Ave., at about 5:48 a.m., having been shot in the upper torso, after his girlfriend called 911. They identified Vahey as the suspect based on her description and surveillance cameras, and set up a perimeter about his home at 522 Pinegrove Ave., trying to contact someone inside, Peters said. Vahey’s roommate agreed to come out and said he was the only person inside, and that he received texts from his roommate saying he had just killed his grandfather and was going to kill himself. Police identified the car he was driving and the license plate, and the New York State Park Police found the car in Letchworth State Park.

A large perimeter was set up, with Livingston and Wyoming county sheriff’s deputies, New York State Police and the New York State Police. the Park Police, along with Perry Police officers and Livingston and Wyoming deputies, evacuated campers, as it was unknown where Vahey was. The New York State Police Aviation Unit searched the area from the air, and a search was started on foot with the NYSP Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and their K9 resources.

The New York State Police saw him shortly after the search started, with what appeared to be a long gun, which he used to take his life when they tried to make contact with him, Peters said.

“Emergency medical care was given by SORT (Special Operations Response Team) team members but proved to be unsuccessful. Based on evidence at the scene, witness accounts, electronic evidence, and in consultation with the Monroe county District Attorney’s office, we are confident to consider this case closed,” Peters said.

Police said the killing stemmed from a dispute over property.

During the investigation, many neighbors stopped by the murder scene in shock, most not wanting to go on camera. However, one nearby man, Peter Divirgilio, shared his reaction with News10NBC.

“Sad, sad day for the area, and for anybody involved, you know, with the deceased suspect,” Divirgilio said. When asked how often he walks in the area, he responded, “Several times a week. I’ve never seen anything happen in this stretch here, no.”

Pinegrove Avenue has since reopened.

Robert was in Letchworth State Park when helicopters and police swarmed the area.

“Before they told us to leave, they came over and said ‘We are dealing with a situation. We are looking for this guy; have you seen him?’ It was just a guy smiling with his thumb up,” he said.

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The 6 p.m. press conference: