BINGHAMTON, NY (WSYR-TV) – Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to “set the record straight” on the details of the mental health evaluation of the suspects in the shooting in Buffalo last year.
At the news conference, Korchak conveyed that the Broome County District Attorney’s Office’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of Buffalo and the families of the victims of Saturday’s senseless mass shooting.
Korchak addressed what he called “misinformation” on social media about an incident in 2021 involving the suspect, Payton Gendron, though Korchak did not mention it by name. Korchak explained that at the school, the suspect made “disturbing” comments about murder and suicide that were later reported to the Susquehanna School District and then to the New York State Police. Korchak said no direct threats were made to the school or students, no mention of firearms, and the suspect said he was joking when making the comments.
However, Korchak said that because the Buffalo shooting is so recent, officials do not currently have full details about the suspect’s psychiatric evaluation at Binghamton General Hospital that stemmed from the incident at the school. He clarified that the suspect was found to be non-dangerous at the time of evaluation last year.
He added that people in his office were aware of the 2021 incident, but again clarified that the suspect was not detained because he was not found to have a dangerous mental illness at the time. He said the suspect fell through the cracks because after graduating in 2021, Gendron had no follow-up supervision.
To address domestic terrorism in the local community, Korchak said he “will have to follow up with the Governor,” following Hochul Wednesday announcement. But he definitely did not call the Buffalo massacre domestic terrorism, saying that in his opinion it is just murder. “To me, terrorism is flying planes into buildings,” Korchak said.
“I don’t know like racial bias… it’s not limited to Broome County,” Korchak said. He explained that Broome County does not have many cases of racial bias and that it is important to educate the community. But when it comes to this case and the suspect’s alleged manifesto written in Broome County, “that’s where you’re fighting the First Amendment because everyone has the right to be stupid,” he said.
“It keeps me up at night every time someone posts bail and commits a violent felony,” Korchak said. He said he has not personally spoken with the suspect or his parents.
“Everyone is going to be questioned” who had any contact with the suspect, Korchak said. He said he currently doesn’t know if anyone knew the shooting could happen, but anyone who had contact “is someone we want to talk to.”
He said he had contacted Erie County District Attorney John Flynn to offer him assistance in any way necessary with this criminal proceeding. He noted that he is limited in what he can discuss, however, he would like to set the record straight on the misinformation that has been provided to the media.
Korchak also said that he could not discuss the facts of the current investigation.
Reference-www.localsyr.com