Area Resident Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting Into Neighbor's House, Police Say

The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 in Dutchess County.

Troopers responded to Cedar Lane in Wingdale for a report of a male subject, later identified as Stewart Mercay, 70, of Dover, who reportedly fired two shotgun rounds through the living room window of his neighbor’s house. 

Mercay retreated to his house and then refused to exit, state police said. 

Subsequently, members of the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Unit, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, and Northern Dutchess Paramedics responded to the scene.

State Police attempted negotiations with Mercay for nearly 11 hours before he was taken into custody, police said.

An investigation found Mercay vented propane gas from the kitchen stove, and lit a candle before exiting through a rear door, placing law enforcement in danger of an explosion.

Mercay was charged with first-degree attempted murder, a Class A-I felony, and second-degree attempted murder, a Class B felony.

Mercay was arraigned before the town of Dover Court and was remanded to Dutchess County Jail without bail.  

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