In the aftermath of a gunman’s rampage across two upstate New York villages, details have emerged about the four men who were killed and the two who remain hospitalized after the shootings in neighboring Mohawk and Herkimer. As law enforcement tries to determine why Kurt Myers, 64, opened fire inside two small-town businesses, friends, relatives and co-workers are sharing information about the victims with local media and The Associated Press.
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Harry Montgomery Sr., 68, of Mohawk was killed inside John’s Barber Shop in his hometown, where another man died and two others were wounded. Fondly known as “Monty Senior,” the father of three and grandfather of five was described as someone always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.
“He was a very outgoing guy, very friendly — a super great guy,” longtime acquaintance Dan Mabbett, chief of the village’s volunteer fire department, told the Observer-Dispatch of Utica.
“My dad was the type of guy who always had a joke to tell,” said daughter Linda Springer of Herkimer. “He was always smiling and made other people smile. He was just always the life of everything.”
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Michael Ransear, a 57-year-old former corrections officer from Herkimer, was the other man killed inside the barber shop. He retired from Mohawk Correctional Facility in nearby Rome in 2006. His family declined to comment.
Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Fischer said Ransear and Michael Renshaw, a prison guard who was killed in Herkimer, “will be remembered for their dedication and daily contributions made throughout their long careers.”
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Michael Renshaw, 51, was killed inside Gaffey’s Fast Lube and Car Wash in Herkimer. A 23-year veteran of the corrections department, Renshaw worked most of that span at Mid-State Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in nearby Marcy. He was also a 20-year volunteer for a local program that collects toys for children around the holidays.
Ron Sterling, Renshaw’s best friend, called him a “big old teddy bear.”
“When he met anybody he wouldn’t just shake your hand, he’d have to give you a big hug and a kiss,” Sterling told the Observer-Dispatch.