Liberals are all about “safe spaces” in which they can cocoon against words they don’t like, but the world they’ve created offers no refuge from murder and mayhem. Thus the tragic death of a father caught in the spray of a Dodge City-style shooting in his New York hotel.

Paul Kutz, 53, was shot to death Sunday morning on the final day of a Marist College “family weekend” in Poughkeepsie, New York. Kutz was there to visit his son when the tragedy occurred in the lobby of a Marriott hotel at around 7:30 AM, according to NBC.

Although police have not released many details of the incident, two men have been arrested and charged as a result of the killing. Roy Johnson has been accused of shooting Kutz in the chest and torso with a 9-mm semi-automatic handgun, in a felony complaint filed in Poughkeepsie Town Court. Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Both are felonies. Johnson’s last known address was reported as Hyde Park, located on the Hudson River north of Poughkeepsie.

Also arrested at the scene was 26-year-old Devin Taylor of Poughkeepsie, receiving felony charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. According to the complaint, Taylor possessed a loaded .223-caliber rifle that had no serial number. The weapon has been reported as a “ghost gun.”

The two men, whom officials said had at least one prior felony conviction apiece, were arraigned and a court date has been set for October 7. They are currently being held in the Dutchess County Jail.

The incident reportedly occurred when Johnson went to the lobby to get coffee and got into a heated argument with a group including hotel staff. When he started firing he reportedly emptied his 30-round clip.

Caught in the crossfire was Kutz, father of three sons with his wife of over 35 years, and a certified public accountant from East Northport on Long Island, who was felled on the spot.

“Investigators said that the handgun used in the shooting had a clip of 30 bullets, which was empty when it was recovered in the parking lot. It is believed that more than two dozen shots were fired inside and outside the hotel,” NBC reported, also noting that the Glock had an illegal switch that turned it from semi-automatic to automatic firing mode, and continuing, “The senior law enforcement official had said Johnson and Taylor were in a hotel room smoking a PCP-like substance prior. Johnson was remanded without bail and Taylor was remanded on $1,000,000 bond. The pair, both homeless, are next scheduled to appear in court on Friday.”

Both the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are involved in the investigation of the incident that unfolded over several hours beginning with officers arriving at 7:30 AM, followed by the assistance of a bomb squad. Several sources reported that the explosive material Tannerite was discovered in the possession of one of the suspects.

Police Chief Joseph Cavaliere stated that instructional materials for making bombs were found in the suspects’ hotel room.

Marist College released a statement on the tragedy:

“Yesterday morning, authorities made us aware of the tragic, fatal shooting of a parent of a Marist student at a local hotel several miles from campus.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and we are offering the full support of the Marist community. We remain in contact with local authorities and will keep our community informed with any updates.”

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Steve Overholt

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