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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. Peekskill Police are turning to the public for help in their investigation into the death of a 53-year-old city resident Wednesday afternoon on the 100 block of Pine Street.
Investigators said Wednesday night they believe the man was the victim of gunfire and are treating his death as a homicide. Peekskill investigators are working with the Westchester County District Attorneys Office on the investigation and are following up on possible leads.
K9 Officers from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety were brought in to search the surrounding neighborhood. Police Chief Eugene Tumolo said the department did not believe the incident was a random crime and that investigators were able to confirm that the victims assailant had fled the area. He also said he could not confirm rumors that the victim was a cab driver.
"We don't believe that he is a licensed cab driver here in Peekskill," Tumolo said.
A reward for up to $2,500 has been offered by New York State Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the mans death. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-TIPS or Peekskill Police at (914) 737-8000. All calls will be kept confidential.
A postal worker discovered the man slumped behind the wheel of a car on Pine Street at about 2 p.m., she told The Peekskill Daily Voice.
Police said the victim lived in the Crossroads apartment complex. His name is being withheld for the time being until family members are notified. The cause of death was also withheld.
"At this time we are not releasing the form of death until the investigation moves forward to a point where we are able to give out that information without compromising this case," Tumolo said Wednesday night.
Authorities performed CPR at the scene and the man was taken to the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
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