Federal and State law enforcement officials rushed into the former Glory Days Bar in Herkimer shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, killing murder suspect Kurt Myers.
No law enforcement officials were injured during the shoot-out with the suspect, however a K-9 from the FBI team was killed.
“The work by the tactical teams was nothing short of heroic,” said Joseph D'Amico of the New York State Police at a press conference on Thursday morning. “Our hearts go out to the handler of the K-9.”
D'Amico said police lobbed tear gas into the building during the night to try and lure the suspect out, however, Myers was in a small room on the first floor and police believe he was protected from the gas.
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D'Amico said they had attempted to make visual contact with the suspect, but because of the debris in the abandoned building, they could not make contact. They never had vocal contact with the suspect.
The FBI tactical team led the way, with Myers firing his shotgun back at the officers, striking the K-9 before being shot and killed. “It all unfolded and concluded in a matter of minutes,” D'Amico said.
Myers had been in a standoff with police since Wednesday after a violent day in the small upstate town. Shortly after 9 a.m., Myers set fire to his apartment before making his way to a barber shop at 248 N. Main Street where he allegedly shot four people, killing 2.
[Related: 4 Killed in Shooting; Suspect Holed up in Bar]
Myers abandon his car and then settled in the closed bar, beginning the standoff with police.
Joseph Malone, police chief for Herkimer and Mohawk, said after so much violence in a short time for the small town, they called on state resources. “We were overwhelmed instantly in both places,” said Malone.
D‘Amico said no note has been found, and there is no apparent relationship between Myers and the victims. No motive has been determined, however, D’Amico said the investigation was still in the preliminary stages.
“As a local resident of Herkimer County my entire life, we have never seen a tragedy like this,” Jeff Carpenter, district attorney for Herkimer County.
Carpenter said his firm will work with the victims’ families to provide counseling and any services they need over the next few weeks to help them get through.
