A 24-year-old man shot and killed his 80-year-old grandfather before taking his own life on Thursday, authorities reported. The incident prompted a search in Letchworth State Park, New York, which led to the park’s closure for several hours.
Andrew Vahey, 24, was found deceased on a hiking trail in the park as law enforcement closed in. The search involved multiple agencies along the Genesee River, according to Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters during an evening press briefing.
Earlier in the day, police discovered the body of Vahey’s grandfather, Joseph Deponceau, in his Irondequoit home after responding to a 911 call. Vahey had sent texts to his roommate indicating that he had killed his grandfather and intended to end his own life, Peters stated.
Officers encountered Vahey carrying a long gun in the park around 12:30 p.m. They attempted to communicate with him, but he fatally shot himself before they could intervene, Peters explained.
The chief mentioned that Vahey and Deponceau had recently argued over property, and police had been called to Deponceau’s home the previous week due to a family dispute concerning parking on the grass.