Fight Ends With 74-Year-Old Stabbed To Death At Gas Station: Police

WALLKILL, NY — Police have made an arrest in a fatal stabbing at a gas station.

Town of Wallkill police were called on Thursday at 9:43 a.m. to reports of a fight at the 17 westbound exit off-ramp at the intersection with State Route 302. Officers located a victim in front of an Exxon gas station on State Route 302, according to police. The victim, a 74-year-old man, later identified as Joel A. Laddy of the Town of Wallkill, appeared to be suffering from at least one stab wound. He was rushed to Garnet Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

While responding to the incident, Town of Wallkill Detective Sergeant Jeremy Warner and Police Officer Craig Cucci located and apprehended a suspect nearby on State Route 302. The suspect is identified as Horace E. Duke, a 22-year-old City of Middletown resident.

Officials said the investigation into this case is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Town of Wallkill Police Department detectives at (845) 692-6757.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Department of Transportation all provided assistance, according to Deputy Chief of Police Antonino Spano.