A ‘senseless act’
Source: Todman shot after verbal exchange with man
Accomplished artist was reportedly killed after intervening in a dispute.
Duane Todman, an accomplished painter, was shot at point-blank range last month while sitting on the steps of a church after he apparently intervened in a dispute between a man and a woman on a city street, according to several people with knowledge of the investigation into the killing.
Those individuals, one of whom characterized the shooting of the 27-year-old city man as a “senseless act of violence,” requested anonymity because of the ongoing probe into the May 23 slaying in the city’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood.
Todman, according to those familiar with the incident, was hanging out with two other men on the steps of the church at Craig and Stanley streets as a group of men and women walked by them.
The suspected shooter got into a verbal dispute with one of the women, and as the argument ended, Todman said something to the man, who crudely asked him what he said, those sources said. Once Todman, repeated himself, the assailant allegedly pulled out his weapon and shot Todman.
Police have previously said Todman was shot in the neck around 9 p.m. May 23. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
It does not appear that Todman knew his killer, who ran off after opening fire, the sources said. No one else was injured.
His death came four days after Fred Gentry, 48, was found wounded near the intersection of Victory Avenue and
Catherine Street. He later died.
Asked Tuesday about the seeming randomness of Todman’s slaying, Police Chief Eric Clifford said “this incident is not indicative of any rise in criminal activity in the neighborhood or the city in general.”
“It does appear to be an isolated, random incident that was very unfortunate and a member of our community that was well-liked and loved is no longer with us,” he added.
Those who knew Todman hailed him was a talented oil and classical still life painter who, after relocating to Schenectady, spent long hours at the Electric City Barn, perfecting his craft.
Before that, he was a resident of the Albany Barn.
Kristen Holler, executive director of both barns, or spaces where artists can hone their skills, told the Times Union last week that Todman loved being around creative people had recently won a scholarship to study next year at the Academy of Realist Art Boston.
Holler said she received an email last week from the school’s assistant director, who in that correspondence said she had personally interviewed Todman, and that they “were so excited to have such a talented and passionate artist join their program.”
She never got to share the good news with him.
Todman’s killing was the second in four days for a city that has only had two gun-related homicides in the past two years.
Mayor Gary Mccarthy has said it’s possible that at least 40 police officers may have to be laid off to help bridge a projected $11.5 million budget hole as a result of a decline revenues because of the coronavirus. He’s hoping that Schenectady will receive federal money to help soften the financial hit and avert layoffs to police, firefighters and other City Hall employees.
Friends and family are scheduled to say final farewells to Todman on Wednesday in Peekskill, according to an online obituary. The death notice indicates that a funeral service will take place afterward.
Anyone with information on either of the two shootings can contact the Schenectady Police Department’s TIPS line at 518-788-6566.