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Officer mistakes son for intruder, killing him with a gunshot

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Updated: 7/21/2012 1:23 pm

Old Forge (WSYR-TV) -A late call from the Clark Beach Motel in Old Forge alerted 911 dispatchers at 12:51 a.m. on Saturday morning. 

The caller said he believed he'd shot an intruder.  The victim turned out to be his son.

Town of Webb police say Michael Leach, 59, of Rochester mistakenly shot his son as he returned to their motel room.  A .45 caliber Glock handgun was used, the weapon issued by Leach's employer, a police department in Perry, New York of Wyoming County.

Matthew S. Leach, 37, of Rochester died from his wounds.  His father was taken to St. Lukes Hospital in Utica after the shooting for what police describe as a medical issue.

Town of Webb police continue to investigate, along with the acting Herkimer County District Attorney, Jeff Carpenter.

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