Left: Photo of Barry Renert from the Cooperstown Police Department.
Shots were fired this morning inside the 7th Inning Stretch store at 137 Main Street, New York State Police have announced. Police have asked the public to stay away from the area while they investigate.
The Daily Star reports that the suspect is 62-year-old Barry Renert, a former employee of the store who has been accused of embezzlement by the store's owner.
WKTV reports that no injuries have been reported, and that Bassett Medical Center is on lockdown.
On September 5, Renert was arrested on charges of criminal contempt, stemming from Renert's alleged violation of an order of protection filed by a Richfield Springs woman.
Update, 12:38 p.m.: According to a report from WBNG, the gunman is described as a white man, about 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a tattoo on his neck and a sleeve tattoo on one arm, wearing a ski mask. He is believed to be driving a rental car with Florida plates.
Update, 1:20 p.m.: A report from the Utica Observer-Dispatch said Renert may not have been the one who fired when gunshots were reported inside the store:
District Attorney John Muehl said Renert, who traveled back to the area from Florida, was allegedly armed when he entered the store and that the store owner fired at him. There's no evidence Renert fired his gun during the incident, however, he said.
Two blocks of Main Street, which had been shut down by police, were reopened to traffic around noon, the Observer-Dispatch reported.
Update, 6 p.m.: A Monday afternoon press release from the Cooperstown Police stated that the search was still on for Renert. Police released a photo (above), and a more complete description of Renert and his vehicle:
BARRY M. RENERT DOB 2/15/51 White male, Ht. 6'2", Wgt 240 lbs, Hair - Gray or shaved, Eyes - Green with numerous tattoos from neck down, including two tear drops by right eye.
Barry RENERT may be operating a 2012 Chrysler 200 LX color black, bearing Florida registration # AFPK42.
Renert is considered armed and dangerous, the release said. The Cooperstown Police Department is now handling the incident. Anyone with information on Renert should call Cooperstown police at 607-547-1697. All calls will be kept confidential.
Update, 12/24/13, 3:15 p.m.: Barry Renert was arrested at a bus station in Richmond, Virginia on Monday, the Cooperstown Police Department announced Tuesday. Investigators from the Otsego County Sheriff's Office and Cooperstown Police Department have traveled to Virginia to interview him.
