Students React to Fatal Shooting of Marist Parent

A week after the fatal shooting of a Marist parent at a local Poughkeepsie hotel, students on campus reacted to the tragic incident that took place over the college's Family Weekend.  

“To be honest, I’m a little scared of America’s more general issue with gun violence and this event reminded me that these kinds of attacks can happen anywhere and to anyone,” Catalina Buitano ‘23 said. 

“It doesn’t really change my view on Marist because it can happen anywhere,” said Kaitlyn Rostkowski ‘24. “I think it changed my perspective on how I should go about life and be more safe because these things can happen and not to take everything for granted.”

On Sunday, Oct. 2, at “approximately 7:30 AM, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department received a 911 call of a disturbance at the Courtyard Marriott located at 2641 South Road,” according to the police statement. “During the phone call, it was reported that shots had been fired.”

The victim, a Marist student's father, was brought to MidHudson Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

“Especially for me, it was really scary,” Ron Sgambati ‘24 said, whose parents were staying at the Marriott during the incident. “Later on hearing that the [victim] actually died was really scary.”

On Monday, the police identified the two perpetrators as Roy A. Johnson Jr. and Devin M. Taylor. Johnson, 35, was charged with one count of second degree murder and one count of second degree criminal possession of a weapon and was not given bail. Taylor, 26, was charged with two counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon and bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1 million in bonds or $5 million in partially secured bonds.

“The investigation is continuing,” said the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Facebook page.

“I am worried for the Marist community and I hope the family is doing okay,” Alison Karpowich ‘23 said. “We as a community need to come together in solidarity.”

Many parents and family members of Marist students were on campus and in the local area as Marist hosted its annual Family Weekend.

“It was extremely surprising and extremely sad,” Adjunct Professor of Biology Shannon Considine said. Considine has also taught at Poughkeepsie High School for 16 years, where, unfortunately, gun violence has been a common cause of concern. 

“Use your resources. Make sure you talk to people you trust,” Considine shared as ways to try to process this event. “Make yourself aware that, unfortunately, life happens. We need to be safe, and we need to be aware.”

Counseling Services is available for Marist students by calling 845-575-3314 or emailing counseling.services@marist.edu.

Note from the Marist Circle Editorial Team: We are deeply saddened by the news of this tragic event and share our deepest condolences with the Marist community members who are affected. Please respect the family and their privacy during this time.