Letchworth State Park manhunt ends; Police chief confirms suspect is dead
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, N.Y — New York State Police say a manhunt in Letchworth State Park has been “resolved” and there is no threat to the public. Irondequoit Police say the suspect in a morning murder in Irondequoit took his own life in the Letchworth park.
Andrew Vahey, 24, was being sought for the murder, for which the victim was his grandfather, Jon DePonceau. Police found him dead Thursday morning at his home at 500 Pinegrove Ave,, having been shot in the upper torso. They identified Vahey as the suspect and set up a perimeter about his home at 522 Pinegrove Ave., trying to contact someone inside. 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 found the car in Letchworth State Park. A large perimeter was set up, and campers were evacuated. He was seen shortly after the search started, with what appeared to be a long gun, which he used to take his life, police said.
Police said the murder arose from a dispute over property.
Police said they consider the case closed.
Irondequoit Police will hold a briefing at 6 p.m.
Watch briefing here:
Multiple law enforcement agencies were at the park searching for a person of interest in a murder in Irondequoit that happened on Thursday morning. The park remains closed. News10NBC Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean is at Letchworth tracking the latest in the murder investigation:
Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters says the victim’s wife made a 911 call just before 6 a.m. Police went to the home on Pinegrove Avenue near Oak Ridge Drive, got everyone out of the house, and found the man dead from a gunshot wound. Police were looking for a gray Acura Integra and say the suspect may be related to the victim.
People in Livingston County got this text alert about the investigation:
The Irondequoit Police Department is hosting a press conference on Thursday at 6 p.m. about the investigation. News10NBC will be there and bring you the latest on air and online.
This is a developing story. News10NBC will update this story as we learn more information.