Hudson Valley Man Involved in Shootout With Police Dies

A Hudson Valley man who was recently involved in a shootout with New Paltz Police has died.

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, on October 24, 2015, New Paltz Police responded to a report of a domestic violence at John Tozzi’s apartment on Route 32 in New Paltz.

As one of the officers approached the apartment another officer noticed Tozzi approaching the door with a gun. Tozzi fired one round from a high powered rifle, which traveled through the metal door missing the officer.

Soon after, Tozzi fired at least 8 more rounds at other officers who arrived on the scene. Three police vehicles were hit. During the stand-off an officer returned fire, firing one round that hit Tozzi in the chest. He was taken to a hospital in Westchester County. Tozzi remained there until about two weeks ago when he was transferred to a medical facility in Ulster County. He died this week after his condition deteriorated.

At this time it’s not known if Tozzi died from injuries sustained during the October shootout or from other medical issues he was suffering from.

Tozzi died before he was charged in the shooting. But Ulster County District Attonry Holley Carnright was preparing to charge him with multiple counts of attempted murder.
“The reason for not filing the charges before the Grand Jury presentation was simply a practical one,” Carnright said in a press release. “Once charges are filed against a defendant that individual becomes the responsibility of the arresting agency. Here it would have become necessary to post around the clock security at the hospital. In addition, I am advised that potentially, expenses regarding medical procedures following arrest could become the responsibility of the county. Given Mr. Tozzi’s condition and the fact that he was not medically able to leave the hospital, I suggested that we delay the filing of the criminal charges.”

A case against the officer who shot Tozzi has not yet been presented to a grand jury, which is standard procedure. Carnright says the fact that the case will be presented doesn’t reflect any opinion of wrong doing.