Investigators allegedly found bomb-making devices
NYSP: “There is no current threat to public safety”
By the Sun investigative team, photo via GoogleMaps
Steuben County prosecutors, the state police, FBI and United States Secret Service are meeting to determine if an incident that took place in Hornellsville will lead to an arrest or if it will be sealed as a mental health law violation.
As this investigation continues, more information has been provided to the Wellsville Sun and Hornell Sun with connections to other items found during a search.
The incident took place at UR St. James Hospital on Monday, July 17. As of today, a press release or police report has not been issued.
However, the hospital and state police have provided statements to the Sun and Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker talked about the investigation with WLEA radio.
The Sun learned of the incident and after a week-long investigation, reported a male under the age of 20, but of legal age from Steuben County shot himself in the neck in his large SUV parked in the employee parking lot of the hospital. He got out and walked toward the emergency room where he was assisted by a hospital staff member.
When troopers arrived on the scene, they allegedly found a manifesto in his vehicle with names in it. Police described it as a “hit list,” and it allegedly included New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul and Vice President Kamala Harris. There was also an alleged statement about Hornell shopping center and other locations.
The Sun is withholding this information and the name of the person as this could be a mental health case.
New York State Police Trooper Lynnea Crane, Troop E Public Information Officer, said, “Yes there was an incident.”
The person involved is in a Rochester-area hospital.
Trooper Crane said, “There is no current threat to public safety. We are working with our federal partners on this (investigation).”
The United States Secret Service and FBI then became involved when the threats involved high-level government officials. A search warrant of his home in Steuben County was issued and investigators allegedly found bomb-making devices and other items of concern.
Logan Peck, the St. James Hospital Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications Manager, said in a statement from the hospital, “We can confirm that St. James Hospital staff members dealt with a very upsetting situation on Monday, July 17. A person who had been seriously injured by a firearm was discovered on Hospital grounds seeking medical care. Our medical team immediately responded and were able to stabilize the patient for transfer. Our St. James Hospital security staff were also on the scene. No staff members or other patients were physically harmed during this incident.”
Stueben County District Attorney Brooks Baker confirmed the Hornell and Wellsville Sun reporting to WLEA News when he said a male suspect walked into St. James Hospital and shot himself in the neck. Baker told WLEA that the suicidal male survived, but was discovered to have a note on him, indicating that he wanted to/was planning on making political assassinations.
“Right now, we are in the infancy of the investigation,” Baker told WLEA.
A family spokesman told the Sun said the incident took place in the vehicle not outside the emergency room.
“They need love and support not judgement at this time, trying to deal with the emotions of the incident,” the family friend said.
St. James Hospital President and CEO Wendy Disbrow sent an email to employees the week of the shooting that did not let employees know of the incident details, but said the emergency room staff was traumatized on Monday and to keep that in mind this week. There was also information in the email for employees who needed counseling after the incident.
