From a press release from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office:
The Ulster County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police are investigating a Homicide that occurred on Ulster Heights Rd in the town of Wawarsing this morning.
The suspect, Richard Giga age 24, approx 6 ft 1 inch tall, thin build, brown hair (Possibly Mohawk style), fled the scene of the Homicide in a vehicle which he later crashed also on Ulster Heights Rd and then fled on foot into a wooded area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ulster County Sheriff's Office at 845-338-3640.
(Photograph of suspect forthcoming.)
We'll keep this post updated as we learn more.
Update, 9:58am: Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum will be holding a press conference at noon, at the Village of Ellenville Police Department at 2 Elting Court.
11:12am: Scratch that. The Sheriff's Office now says they're not having a press conference after all, but they'll have a press release at that time.
11:35am: The Times Herald-Record is all over this. According to their story, police say Giga stabbed and killed a security guard at the Rennaisance Project, Inc., a rehab center on Ulster Heights Road, and injured another employee. Ellenville schools are closed while police conduct a massive manhunt for Giga.
11:44am: The Daily Freeman has Giga's photo. See above.
1:02pm: A press release from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Leland Wood of Napanoch. Note the new phone number at the bottom of the release for contacting police with information about the investigation:
Ulster County Sheriffs Office is investigating the murder of a security guard at the Renaissance Center on Ulster Heights Road in the Town of Wawarsing. The incident occurred at approximately 3:08am. The victim has been identified as Leland Wood, 61, of Napanoch. He wasa security guard at that facility.
The perpetrator was then able to take physical control of a 35 year old female nurse forcing her to drive him from the scene. He then stabbed said female several times in the abdomen and chest area causing her to crash and roll her vehicle over. She was taken to Ellenville Hospital by a passerby. She was then relocated to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie where she was taken into surgery and is currently in stable condition.
The perpetrator then fled on foot in a rural area just outside the Village of Ellenville. He has been identified as Richard N. Giga 25 years of age. He is described as a white male 5 feet 11. Thin build 142 lbs. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Last seen wearing blue jeans, T shirt and boots.
Approximately 80 police officers are working in the Ellenville area on this investigation. The NY State Police uniform, BCI, aviation and FIU. Ellenville Police Dept. And the NYSP Environmental Conservation Police and the Ulster County Emergency Response Team are all assisting at the scene.
The suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone seeing the suspect is instructed to use caution. Do NOT approach. And are asked to call 845-647-2677.
Update: Giga was caught at around 6:15 this evening. The THR has the details, along with some backstory on Giga, who had a previous history of disturbing behavior.
