Murder-Suicide Rocks Putnam County
A light drizzle fell upon the Town of Carmel Highway Department at 55 McAlpin Avenue Thursday afternoon, as flags were lowered to half-staff less than 24 hours after one of its workers allegedly shot and killed himself and a colleague.
According to police, the murder-suicide took place at approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday night outside the residence of 20 Woodland Road in Mahopac Falls. The report states that Michael Boccardi, a 47-year-old year Mahopac resident, awaited the return of his estranged wife and 56-year-old Michael Purdy, who had been having dinner together earlier in the evening.
“Upon his arrival home, Mr. Boccardi fired several shots at Mr. Purdy as he walking towards his residence, one of which struck Mr. Purdy in the head,” according to a press release sent from Carmel Police Chief Michael Johnson. “Mr. Boccardi then jumped into the car with his estranged wife and ordered her to drive away.”
Police say it was then that Boccardi’s estranged wife was “emotionally distraught” over her husband’s actions and attempted to speak with him. According to the report, Boccardi then took the pistol and shot himself to death.
Further, the report states that a resident on Woodland Road reported that a woman had knocked on her door and reported that two people had been shot—additional reports also suggest that neighbors called the Carmel Police after hearing gunshots in the area.
The coroner, Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, responded to the scene and pronounced both Boccardi and Purdy dead.
“Both Mr. Boccardi and Mr. Purdy were employed by the Town of Carmel Highway Department, and as a result of this incident this is a tragic loss for the entire community,” Johnson wrote in the statement.
Michael Simone, Carmel’s highway superintendent, said the murder-suicide is saddening not just for his department, but to the entire community, as well.
“It’s a tragic, tragic day,” Simone said. “It’s really unbelievable.”
Last night’s alleged murder-suicide comes less than one month after a Cross River resident killed his wife and two children before killing himself. The investigation is being lead by Carmel Police Detective Sgt. John Harney.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.