A Cobleskill man is dead after being shot in the head at his 435 Lamont District Road home at about 12:45am Thursday.
Initially listed in critical condition, Timothy J. Oldorff, 50, died from a gunshot wound to the back of his head after being airlifted to Albany Medical Center.
State Police haven’t named the 17-year-old charged with the crime, but he has been identified in court documents as Mr. Oldorff’s son, Ryan J. Oldorff, a senior at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.
Ryan was charged with first-degree assault, first degree criminal use of a firearm, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon before his father’s death.
Troopers said Monday that it’s up to Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery to decide whether the charges would be upgraded in light of Mr. Oldorff’s death, however that appears likely.
Ms. Mallery’s office did not return calls asking for comment.
The incident was initially characterized as attempted homicide, but while the investigation was ongoing and before Ryan was apprehended, Troopers said they believed there was no threat to the public.
In court documents, the weapon was identified as a .22 rifle kept in a gun safe at the Oldorff home; Mr. Oldorff survived for several hours after the shooting, which reports said followed a dispute between the two.
Ryan was arraigned in court last Thursday and sent to the Schoharie County Jail.
He had been due back in court yesterday, but that’s been postponed.
He is being represented by attorney Mark Gaylord.
The incident was investigated by the State Police Bureau of Crime Investigation, Major Crimes Unit, and Forensic Identification Unit.