Seeking Shooter: Cops Warn Hikers Off Trails Near Napanoch NY

UPDATE: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is temporarily closing the Vernooy Kill State Forest, located in Ulster County, New York, to visitors. The closure is effective immediately.

DEC Forest Rangers are assisting New York State Police in the ongoing search for Joshua Stuart in the Ellenville, New York, area. DEC urges hikers in the Ellenville area not to utilize trails in the area.

State Police are requesting the public's assistance in locating Joshua Stuart, a suspect in a shooting incident at Ellenville Regional Hospital that occurred at 1 am. Friday.

Police are are asking residents in the area and surrounding area in Ellenville to check trail cameras and residential surveillance for anyone matching Stuart's description.

Hikers are urged not to use trails in the area. Stuart is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

No one was injured in the incident. Following the shooting, the suspect fled in a vehicle which was later located unoccupied on Lundy Lane in Napanoch, NY.

The suspect is identified as Joshua Stuart, a white man in his early 40s, wearing a flannel shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Stuart should not be approached.

If anyone sees an individual matching Stuart’s description, they are asked to contact State police in Middletown 845-344-5300.

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PHOTOS; New York State Police