POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (PIX11) — A fatal shooting at a Poughkeepsie hotel led to the disturbing discovery of guides and materials that could be used to make explosive devices, according to police.
The incident began around 7:30 a.m. Sunday when local police responded to a reported disturbance and gunfire at the Courtyard Marriott hotel on South Road near Evergreen Avenue, authorities wrote in a Facebook post.
Responding officers took two men into custody, and located a third man wounded by gunfire at the hotel, officials said. First responders rushed that man to an area hospital, but he could not be saved.
Police found the accused shooter, 35-year-old Roy Johnson Jr., in the lobby, authorities said. Johnson allegedly tossed a gun from his fanny pack before police took him down. Moments later, his suspected accomplice, 26-year-old Devin Taylor, was arrested in the courtyard where another weapon was found, authorities said.
Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Taylor was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
During an ensuing search of the hotel, officers found manuals for making explosive devices in the suspects’ room, as well as materials that could be used as explosives, police said. The New York State Police Bomb Squad secured the materials, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was notified of the discovery.
“There were no explosive devices found in that room that had the capability in the condition they were in to explode,” Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady said at a news conference.
The hotel was evacuated of workers and guests, and Dutchess County emergency personnel, the Red Cross, and nearby Marist College helped move them and ensure that they were settled elsewhere.
The victim is the father of a Marist College student, who was in town for the annual family weekend, authorities said.
“Yesterday morning, authorities made us aware of the tragic, fatal shooting of a family member of a Marist student at a local hotel several miles from campus. Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and we are offering the full support of the Marist community,” a spokesperson for Marist said in a statement. “We remain in contact with local authorities and will keep our community informed with any updates.”
Police assured the Marist College and Poughkeepsie community that there is no danger or threat to the school.
