Crime & Safety

Body in Hudson Identified as Sang Ho Kim, Suspect in Long Island Shooting

The body found floating in the Hudson River Monday morning has been identified as Sang Ho Kim, the man accused of opening fire inside a Long Island office building, authorities have confirmed.

A recreational boater aboard a sailboat spotted the body at about 8:30 a.m., just south of the Bear Mountain Bridge near the Rockland County shoreline, according to police.

"The boater called authorities and a State Environmental Conservation Police patrol boat, which was in the vicinity, responded and recovered the body," Putnam County Sheriff's Office officials said late Monday afternoon in a press release. "The Rockland County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the deceased to the morgue, where the remains were positively identified as those of Mr. Kim. A report on the cause of death will be issued by the medical examiner." 

The body reportedly appeared to have been in the water for several days.

Officials in Putnam County launched a manhunt late last week when Kim's vehicle was discovered near the village of Cold Spring shortly after the shooting took place. More than 100 law enforcement members participated in the search, which affected local schools.

Kim worked as a vendor for Savenergy, a lighting fixture company in East Garden City. Police say Kim, angry over a business deal gone bad, killed one employee and seriously injured the company's CEO before fleeing the scene. Zachariah Yong Jae Shin, 25, of Whitestone, Queens succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, John Hyng Choi underwent surgery at Nassau University Medical Center.

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith said Kim's death "brought closure to the extensive search operation along the river" that involved many law enforcement end emergency services. He complimented “the outstanding cooperation and support expressed by local community leaders and residents during the search.”

“The tragic violence in East Garden City and the search for Mr. Kim in our local community caused fear and apprehension for many folks,” Smith said. “Today’s events have at least allowed us to turn the page on what was a scary chapter for local residents.” 

Carisa Giardino contributed to this report.


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