Scot Thompson Arrested After Fatally Shooting Brothers David and Mark Thompson at New York Hunting Cabin

A 65-year-old Florida man has been arrested after authorities say he shot and killed his two brothers during a weekend hunting trip in western New York. According to New York State Police, Scot Thompson, of Englewood, Florida, fatally shot 69-year-old David Thompson and 70-year-old Mark Thompson with a rifle at a remote hunting cabin in the town of Allen.

Police say one of the siblings managed to call authorities before the shooting was discovered. When officers arrived at the cabin, they found both victims dead. An alert was issued for a vehicle belonging to David Thompson, which Scot had reportedly taken when he fled the scene. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Geneseo Police Department located the car shortly afterward and took Scot into custody.

Investigators believe the three brothers got into a physical altercation before the shooting, though the cause of the fight remains unclear. Authorities noted that alcohol was a contributing factor. Scot and David Thompson both lived in Florida — Scot in Englewood and David in Port Charlotte — while Mark Thompson resided in Canterbury, Connecticut.

Family members say they are stunned by the killings. John Sweeney, the brother-in-law of victim David Thompson, told WBBH that Scot called David’s wife, Jane, after the incident to apologize. “I just can’t believe it because I’ve hunted with all three of those guys,” Sweeney said. “I’ve met him before. I was surprised — he called Jane last night and apologized.”

Autopsies for both victims are scheduled, and Scot Thompson remains in the Allegany County Jail awaiting arraignment on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal use of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing.