HERKIMER -- Reaction to the shooting spree in Herkimer County continues to pour in as people reflect on the incident that left six people shot, including four who were killed.
About 100 people attended an interfaith service at Mohawk Reform Church tonight, praying for the victims of Wednesday's shooting rampage in Herkimer County.
Pastor Brian Engel says he hopes the community offers forgiveness to the shooter, "because hate destroys who we are." John Seymour, one of the victims of the shooting, has been a past member of the church. He survived the shooting after emergency surgery and is currently listed in fair condition.
Thomas Stefka also attended the church and played his guitar there. Stefka was killed at Gaffey's car wash.
There were four victims at John's Barber Shop in the Village of Mohawk. 68-year-old Harry Montgomery, of 3 South Washington in Mohawk, was pronounced dead at the scene. 57-year-old Michael Ransear, of 114 Melrose in Herkimer, was also pronounced dead at the scene. John Seymour, the owner of the Barber Shop, was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica in critical condition. A hospital spokesperson says Seymour was upgraded to fair condition on Wednesday night. Dan Haslauer, a customer at the Barber Shop, was also taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in critical condition. The hospital did not have an updated condition for him.
There were two victims at Gaffey's Jiffy Lube in the Village of Herkimer.
Thomas Stefka was an employee at Gaffey's. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael Renshaw, a 20-year veteran of New York State Corrections, was also pronounced dead at the scene. He served as a Correction Officer at Mid-State Correctional Facility for 23 years.
Michael Ransear, who was killed at the Barber Shop, was a former New York State Correction Officer who had retired from the Mohawk Correctional Facility.
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association issued a statement, saying they were "sad to hear of the senseless and tragic deaths of Michael Renshaw and Michael Ransear." "These men spent their lives in service to their communities and their state, and there are no words to express our profound grief over their untimely passing," the statement said. "Today's tragedies are a tremendous loss for everyone who knew these men and who served alongside them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, friends and fellow officers during this difficult time. NYSCOPBA stands ready to help those touched by this senseless act of violence in the coming days and weeks."
Many people are already expressing their sorrow, sending words of support to the victims' families. On CNYCentral's Facebook page, Donna Worthley said, "he looks like a family man,gentleman, honest and loving. sorry to all that loved him...I can't imagine if that happened to us. its such a tragedy."
Robyn Hudson wrote, "Rest in peace. ..my prayers to the family. I'm so sorry he was taken so abruptly and tragically."
Jenn Sherman said, "RIP. This was somebodys father, husband, brother, best friend. So many lives touched by the loss of one person, let alone four today. No motive is worth this."
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