He 'Will Live On Via His Sons': Northport Community Mourns Dad Killed In Marist Shooting

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — The Northport-East Northport community is mourning for Paul Kutz, who was shot and killed by a stray bullet fired at a hotel near Marist College on Sunday. Kutz, 53, of East Northport, was attending a family weekend celebration for his son.

Marist College, in a statement, called the shooting that killed the husband and father of three "tragic."

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and we are offering the full support of the Marist community," the college stated. "We remain in contact with local authorities and will keep our community informed with any updates."

All three of Kutz's sons graduated from the Northport-East Northport School District.

“I am incredibly saddened to hear of Mr. Kutz’s tragic passing and know that the entire community feels a sense of loss following this news," Superintendent Robert Banzer said in a statement. "While I did not know him personally, I have heard from many individuals about what an involved and wonderful parent and person he was. Our hearts are with his family, especially his wife and children, during this difficult time."

The school district's mental health staff are ready to help any student or staff member struggling with the news. The district is available to provide resources and counseling for those in need.

Lynn Cromeyn, the band director at Northport High School, taught two of Kutz's sons — one of them for four years.

Cromeyn lauded Matt, who she taught for four years, and believes his hardworking and politeness came from his father.

"Matt Kutz graduated from Northport High School and was an outstanding member of the Northport Tiger Marching Band Family," Cromeyn said. "Matt was a very talented trumpet player who always gave 100 percent as a musician, as a leader and as a friend. His parents were supportive of all of their endeavors and passions. Our hearts go out to Matt, his brother Sean and their entire family during this difficult time. This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with you always. I know, and as hard as this is to write, a part of his dad will live on via his sons."

Kutz has owned Kutz & Company CPAs, an accounting and financial planning firm in Great Neck, since 1990, according to his LinkedIn page. The company specialized in tax preparation, holistic financial planning, investment management, and retirement planning.

He earned his certified financial planner license at the College for Financial Planning in 1997; his master's degree in taxation at LIU Post in 1992; and his bachelor of science in economics and accounting at College of the Holy Cross in 1990, according to his LinkedIn. Kutz graduated from Chaminade High School in 1986.

Police identified the two suspects taken into custody as Roy A. Johnson Jr., 35, and Devin M. Taylor, 26. Both men are homeless, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported.

Johnson was charged with one count of murder and one count of criminal possession of a weapon. He was remanded to Dutchess County Jail with no bail. Taylor was charged with criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held at the Dutchess County Jail on $500,000 cash or $1 million bond.

The men both had prior criminal records, the New York Post reported.

Johnson was a fugitive wanted on gun and drug charges, NBC New York reported. He was also a key suspect in an August murder case, according to the outlet. The sheriff's office in Fulton County, Georgia, labeled Johnson a fugitive after he was accused of skipping court following his arrest on felony gun and cocaine dealing charges, NBC New York reported. A national warrant for his arrest was uploaded to a database in July.