19-Hour Standoff Ends In Suspect's Death
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: March 14, 2013
After a whirlwind of tense, violent events, some of our community is in
mourning tonight. The 19-hour stand-off with Kurt Myers came to an end
around 8 this morning when a tactical team entered the vacant building
he was believed to be in on North Main Street in Herkimer, killing the
man.
Three teams of law enforcement entered the abandoned building, the former location of theGlory Days bar. Police say before they could get to Myers, he fired first, killing a police K9. That's when officers opened fire killing their lone suspect, Kurt Myers.
"It was a matter of minutes from the time the tactical teams deployed. He engaged them almost immediately," says State Police Superintendent, Joseph D'Amico.
D'Amico spoke in Herkimer this morning shortly after Myer's death.
"Through the night we maintained a vigil on it to see if the suspect showed himself and this morning we thought it was the best time to make an entry," says D'Amico.
The biggest question people had for him; Why did Myers do this?
"We still have no information on what his motive was or why he finally chose to come to this location, so we think they were unprovoked and random," says D'Amico.
Amid a tragedy, Herkimer officials also spoke at the conference, praising local and state police, as well as the entire community.
"We've never seen a tragedy like this that I can remember and I'm thankful that when something like this happens, I know that I have partners that are standing behind me," says Jeffrey Carpenter, Herkimer County District Attorney.
"I'd also like to thank the businesses and residents that provided food and assistance to what seemed like a small army here in the village," says Joseph Malone, Herkimer Police Chief.
And while officials are glad the standoff is over, some community members say the healing process has just begun.
"Everybody's saying its over but its not over for the families that this happened to," says Linda Roemer, Herkimer resident.
"It was my neighbor that got killed yesterday so its not a happy situation," says Sam Roorda, Herkimer resident.
And, while people may mourn differently, most agree that they feel safe again.
"'I'm just glad he won't taking anyone else's life," says Herkimer resident.
"It's just a relief to know that he can't cause any more damage to anybody," says Joni Judware, Herkimer resident.
"I'm glad its over with, I'm glad its over with, ya know, this town needs to heal," says Roorda.
It's been a sad couple days but as community members say, it's time to heal. And State Police say we'll continue to see law enforcement in Herkimer as they process the active crime scenes.
Three teams of law enforcement entered the abandoned building, the former location of theGlory Days bar. Police say before they could get to Myers, he fired first, killing a police K9. That's when officers opened fire killing their lone suspect, Kurt Myers.
"It was a matter of minutes from the time the tactical teams deployed. He engaged them almost immediately," says State Police Superintendent, Joseph D'Amico.
D'Amico spoke in Herkimer this morning shortly after Myer's death.
"Through the night we maintained a vigil on it to see if the suspect showed himself and this morning we thought it was the best time to make an entry," says D'Amico.
The biggest question people had for him; Why did Myers do this?
"We still have no information on what his motive was or why he finally chose to come to this location, so we think they were unprovoked and random," says D'Amico.
Amid a tragedy, Herkimer officials also spoke at the conference, praising local and state police, as well as the entire community.
"We've never seen a tragedy like this that I can remember and I'm thankful that when something like this happens, I know that I have partners that are standing behind me," says Jeffrey Carpenter, Herkimer County District Attorney.
"I'd also like to thank the businesses and residents that provided food and assistance to what seemed like a small army here in the village," says Joseph Malone, Herkimer Police Chief.
And while officials are glad the standoff is over, some community members say the healing process has just begun.
"Everybody's saying its over but its not over for the families that this happened to," says Linda Roemer, Herkimer resident.
"It was my neighbor that got killed yesterday so its not a happy situation," says Sam Roorda, Herkimer resident.
And, while people may mourn differently, most agree that they feel safe again.
"'I'm just glad he won't taking anyone else's life," says Herkimer resident.
"It's just a relief to know that he can't cause any more damage to anybody," says Joni Judware, Herkimer resident.
"I'm glad its over with, I'm glad its over with, ya know, this town needs to heal," says Roorda.
It's been a sad couple days but as community members say, it's time to heal. And State Police say we'll continue to see law enforcement in Herkimer as they process the active crime scenes.
