Larome A. Johnson’s death has shaken the New Windsor community after he was fatally shot on Wednesday morning during a neighbor dispute on Hawthorn Way. Police received a report of shots fired just before 9 a.m., prompting an urgent response from the Town of New Windsor Police Department, who arrived to find a violent confrontation that had escalated into a deadly encounter.
Responding officers located Johnson, age 57, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the residential complex where the dispute occurred. Emergency medical personnel immediately began life‑saving efforts before transporting him to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. Despite the rapid medical response, Johnson was later pronounced dead at the hospital, marking the tragic end of a conflict that unfolded in a matter of minutes.
Investigators confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute between neighbors at the Hawthorn Way apartments. Police stated that the confrontation escalated quickly, leaving little time for intervention before shots were fired. The incident occurred in a typically quiet residential area, making the sudden outbreak of violence particularly alarming for neighbors who described the area as peaceful and close‑knit.
Authorities identified 47‑year‑old Thomas J. Crews as the individual responsible for the shooting. Crews was arrested at the scene without further incident and charged with second‑degree murder, a Class A felony under New York law. Police confirmed that he acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Crews was arraigned and remanded to the Orange County Jail as the investigation continues.
Detectives are continuing to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review the timeline of events leading up to the shooting. Officials noted that the dispute between Johnson and Crews had been ongoing, though the specific details of their conflict have not been publicly disclosed. The case has been forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and additional updates are expected as investigators work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.
Johnson is remembered as a resilient man who had survived cancer and previously worked as a corrections officer, earning respect from those who knew him. Friends, neighbors, and family members have expressed deep grief over his death, describing him as someone who had overcome significant challenges only to lose his life in a moment of senseless violence. His passing has left a profound void in the community and among those who cherished him.