Police in Geneseo say a 24-year-old man, apparently distraught over the end of a longtime romantic relationship, brought a large knife to a house not far from the SUNY Geneseo campus and killed two people before taking his own life early Sunday morning.
According to investigators, the father of Colin Kingston called 9-1-1 expressing his worries after receiving a call from his son, who has reportedly told him he harmed his former girlfriend. When police arrived at a house located not far from the SUNY Geneseo campus, they found the bodies of 21-year-old Kelsey Annese and 24-year-old Matthew Hutchinson, as well as that of Kingston.
Annese and Hutchinson were students at SUNY Geneseo and were both members of the school's athletics program. Annese was a member of the women's basketball team while Hutchinson was on the hockey team. Kingston, a former SUNY Geneseo student, and Annese were said to be a couple for about three years.
"We believe Mr. Kingston was distraught over the breakup which led up to the events of (Sunday)," said Geneseo police spokesman Jeff Szczesniak.
In addition to being a hockey player, Hutchinson was a member of the local fire company.
"I can say that Matt was really in the upper echelon of our department," said Geneseo Fire Chief Andrew Chandler. "He was trained and qualified to perform all duties as a firefighter. He also held EMT certification. Really, there wasn't anything Matt wasn't checked out to do with us."
Police believe Hutchinson and Annese may have been asleep when killed.
A memorial for the two slain students has been scheduled for Wednesday night, beginning at 7 p.m., in the SUNY Geneseo gym.
"We're maximizing the ability of our counseling services to our students and everyone on campus," said SUNY Geneseo president Denise Battles. "In addition we're providing guidance for faculty and staff in their efforts to make needed accommodations, and affect as smooth a transition as possible, for students in their classes and their programs as they return to campus life."
Classes will resume Tuesday at SUNY Geneseo. Students return for a new semester under most difficult circumstances
WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley spoke with the editor and chief of the college's newspaper, The Lamron, about the tragedy. Taylor Frank said the community is in a 'state of shock'.
"We can't believe that it happened where we are," said Frank.
Frank tells WBFO News it's believed that Annese broke up with Kingston last week and allegedly made suicidal comments.
"Colin just you know, he took a break up way, way too hard. It's a shame he wasn't able to get help in that week leading up. Hopefully this will start a conversation, at least in the Geneseo area about the need for mental health care," stated Frank.
Although classes resume Tuesday, the men’s and women’s basketball games have been postponed until a later date.
Frank said it is incredibly hard to comprehend. "It's been unreal. This is the type of stuff you see in movies. This isn't suppose to happen in Geneseo," responded Frank.
