On March 9, 2020, Heather J. Mock, a 35-year-old woman, tragically lost her life in a violent sequence of events that unfolded in Utica, New York. A respected New York State Corrections Officer at the Marcy Correctional Facility, Mock's life was cut short in what police have described as a murder-suicide.
The incident began at Mock's home on Elmhurst Road, where she was with a male co-worker, Andrew R. Pruitt. It was there that Christopher J.
Conkling, a 38-year-old corrections officer and Mock's former fiancé, gained entry through an unsecured back door. Once inside, Conkling shot Pruitt in the head. He then confronted Mock's mother, who was also present, pointing a gun at her but not firing. Conkling then forced Mock from her home at gunpoint, abducting her and driving to his residence on Van Rensselaer Road.
Following the initial shooting and abduction, law enforcement was alerted and a perimeter was established around Conkling's home. After several unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Conkling, police utilized a remote-operated camera to assess the situation inside the residence. Upon entering the home, officers discovered the bodies of both Heather Mock and Christopher Conkling. Investigators determined that Conkling had shot and killed Mock before turning the gun on himself in a final, tragic act.
Andrew Pruitt, the 33-year-old officer who was shot at the beginning of the ordeal, miraculously survived the attack. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was reported to be conscious and was able to provide a statement to the police. As the perpetrator was deceased, no prosecution followed the incident. Heather Mock was remembered for her dedication to her career and her love for her two children.
