Bernstein
ROCK HILL – A man wanted by Naples, Florida authorities shot and killed himself when confronted by Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputies in Rock Hill Wednesday evening.
At about 6:30 p.m., deputies were tipped off that a man wanted as a fugitive from justice in Florida had been spotted on Katrina Falls Road in Rock Hill. The report indicated he may be armed with a sniper rifle.
Members of the sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit responded and searched the area, eventually encountering the Richard Bernstein, 43, of Naples, Florida.
“He was armed with a handgun. He was told to drop the gun at which time he pointed the gun at his own head and shot himself,” said Sullivan Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.
Bernstein was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center where he died.
He was wanted by Florida authorities on a May 22 charge of lewd lascivious battery/sexual activity with a person 12 to 15 years of age. He had reportedly jumped bail and was being tracked by the US Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force. Sullivan law enforcement had been put on alert earlier in the week that he might be headed to the county.
It was believed he intended to confront the driver of a vehicle who ran over and killed his mother, Susan McCormick, at the Rock Hill St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 14.
The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by State Police, Rock Hill Fire Department, Mobile Medic and Rock Hill Ambulance Corps.
The incident remains under investigation.
