A Suffolk County neighborhood is reeling from a surprising homicide. Authorities say 75-year-old John “Jack” Miller, a retired Suffolk County police officer and former chief of the Wyandanch Volunteer Fireplace Division was gunned down by his personal son, Christopher Miller, 43.
Neighbors say Christopher Miller had just lately moved again into his childhood dwelling following a divorce. Based on neighbors, he was residing together with his father, who had been described as a widely known determine locally.
“It’s a tragedy. It’s a really terrible thing. It’s unsettling to be honest with you,” stated neighbor Ronnie Trach. “I can’t imagine what happened inside that house.”
The incident occurred Wednesday morning when, prosecutors say, Christopher fired 4 photographs from a shotgun, killing his father within the kitchen. After the assault, he reportedly fled the scene, operating down Bruno Lane and right into a neighbor’s yard shed, the place police later discovered him.
At a court docket look at this time, Christopher pleaded not responsible by purpose of madness. His court docket appointed protection lawyer spoke to reporters outdoors of court docket.
“It’s somebody who is obviously going through something traumatic,” stated protection lawyer Dan Russo. “I don’t know if it’s psychiatric or some other health concern, but he’s certainly going through something.”
Joyce Gimeli, a neighbor who has identified the household for 42 years stated, “It was disturbing. It actually bothered us physically to think about such a thing. To think about what was going on in the house just prior – he could’ve never seen that coming.”
Earlier within the week, Jack Miller had filed a lacking individuals report after Christopher didn’t return dwelling on Monday. Police later revealed that Christopher had been injured in a automotive accident and was hospitalized.
The group is grappling with the lack of Jack Miller, who was a well-respected determine. Black bunting now hangs outdoors the Wyandanch Volunteer Fireplace Division.
As investigators proceed their seek for a motive, they’re piecing collectively particulars from the scene. Prosecutors revealed in court docket that Christopher allegedly confessed to the capturing in a videotaped assertion, claiming his father “was never able to be happy.” Along with the shotgun used within the assault, authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle on Christopher’s mattress, including to the unsettling nature of the crime.
