CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. – A tragedy unfolded in the town of New City, New York, as a sergeant from the Bronxville Police Department took the lives of his wife and two sons in a murder-suicide. The bodies of Watson Morgan, 49, Ornella, 43, and their two sons, aged 10 and 12, were discovered with gunshot wounds in their home after Watson failed to show up for his shift.
Authorities confirmed that a handgun was recovered at the scene, and the Clarkstown Police Department stated that they believe Watson killed his family before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Watson had been a 16-year veteran of the Bronxville Police Department, having been promoted to sergeant in 2016. Prior to this, he had served with the NYPD from 2000.
The Clarkstown Central School District, where the two boys had attended, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and indicated that the coming days and weeks will be difficult for the school community as they try to comprehend the loss of precious lives.
The Bronxville Police Chief, Christopher Satriale, extended his sympathies to Sergeant Morgan’s extended family and the police department, expressing their thoughts and prayers for them. He further conveyed the profound sense of loss felt by the department due to the tragic event.
The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the circumstances leading up to the devastating incident. The community is left mourning the senseless loss of innocent lives, with grief and shock rippling through the town of New City. The victims, a devoted officer and his beloved family, leave behind a community struggling to make sense of such an unimaginable tragedy.