The Ithaca man accused of fatally shooting a UPS driver at a Walmart parking lot had a lengthy history with law enforcement, despite the fact that he worked as a master social worker from September 2008 until May 2016 at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Massena.
According to reporting by the Ithaca Voice, “he attacked a man in Lansing, had another confrontation with police at his home, was committed to a psychiatric ward, and surrendered his gun to a Tompkins County Sheriff’s deputy.”
The 38-year-old Justin Barkley has been charged with second-degree murder after shooting William Schumacher with a rifle, then running him over. He then fled the scene, firing a shot in the direction of police.
An eight-hour standoff followed, and when he was taken into custody things became even more complicated.
Read the Ithaca Voice’s in-depth story on Barkley’s history, as well as the ongoing legal battle surrounding his mental state, and ability to stand trial.
