East Northport father Paul Kutz shot dead by stranger while visiting son at Marist College, cops say

An East Northport father visiting his son at Marist College in Poughkeepsie for a family weekend died after being shot by a stranger Sunday morning in what authorities say was a chance encounter at a nearby hotel.

One defendant in the case faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly shooting Paul Kutz, 53, in the chest and torso, Town of Poughkeepsie police said, while a second defendant has been charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon.

Both defendants were guests at the Courtyard by Marriott, about four miles from the Marist campus, as was Kutz.

Kutz was pronounced dead at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital after the gunfire, which broke out at 7:29 a.m. That was one minute before someone called 911, reporting a “disturbance” and shots fired.

Roy A. Johnson, 35, was charged with two felonies: second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, charging papers said. He was held without bail.

The second defendant, Devin M. Taylor, 26, also was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon. He was held at the Dutchess County jail with his bail set at $500,000 in cash, a $1 million bond or $5 million partially secured

Both of the accused are homeless, the charging papers said. Dutchess County officials said the two men were not placed at the hotel through any county assistance or temporary housing program. Police said they did not know how long Johnson and Taylor were staying at the hotel or how they arrived there.

The two men and Kutz did not know each other, and Kutz was not targeted in the shooting, Poughkeepsie Town Police Lt. Jason Burger said.

Police said they did not know what led to the confrontation in the hotel lobby. It remained an active crime scene Tuesday, according to Burger.

"The two ended up in the lobby at the same time," Burger said. "The suspect didn’t go there for a confrontation with the victim."

Kutz was an accountant who founded a financial services company in Great Neck with his brother, Andrew, more than three decades ago, according to the company website.   

“The Kutz family is grateful for the outpouring of love, support and kindness during this tragic time. They kindly request privacy, space and peace to process this devastating and unimaginable loss to their family,” they said in a statement released by a close friend, Maria Zouros.

News of Kutz's loss shocked neighbors in East Northport and workers at the Great Neck office building. 

Neighbors remembered Kutz as a devoted family man, caring for his wife and three sons. 

"Paul was an amazing man. He was the nicest guy you’ll ever meet," neighbor Erik Jensen said. "It’s really tragic. He was a perfect neighbor."

Employees at the Great Neck office building said Kutz managed the accounting firm with his brother for more than 30 years. Kutz was one of the first into the office every morning and always greeted others in the building while making his morning coffee.

"I was shocked to hear the news about Paul dying," attorney Marc Zisselman said. "And I'm extremely upset for the family."

In searching the hotel, police said they found a room with “manuals related to the making of explosive devices, as well as materials with the potential to be used as explosives.”

“While explosive components were found, there were no explosive devices,” police said in a news release, determining there was no “active threat to the public.”

The discovery of the bomb-making components brought in a number of other law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police Bomb Squad and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Marist College, in a statement, said: “Sunday 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.”