In a tragic turn of events that unfolded in the parking lot of a New Paltz diner, a meeting between a father and son ended in a violent confrontation that left both men dead. Andrew Kaartine, a 58-year-old resident of Salisbury Mills, was fatally shot by his 22-year-old son, Jeremy Kaartine of Saugerties. The incident, which police later described as a murder-suicide, sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about the events that led to the fatal encounter.
On the morning of June 1, 2019, Andrew and Jeremy Kaartine had arranged to meet at the Plaza Diner in New Paltz. The two were reportedly estranged, and the purpose of their meeting remains unclear. The encounter, however, was tragically brief. While in the parking lot, Jeremy shot his father before fleeing the scene in his red Camaro. First responders found Andrew unresponsive and administered CPR, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots and seeing the car speed away.
A police pursuit ensued after an Ulster County Sheriff's deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect's car traveling at a high speed on the Thruway. The chase ended when Jeremy Kaartine crashed his car after exiting the highway. When officers approached the vehicle, they discovered that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators later confirmed that the handgun Jeremy used was legally owned.
In the aftermath of the murder-suicide, details emerged about Jeremy Kaartine's troubled past, which included a history of mental illness, domestic violence, and encounters with law enforcement. It was revealed that a pistol permit had been issued to him by a state Supreme Court Justice, despite strong objections from two separate police agencies. Andrew Kaartine's fiancée, Tamara Miller-Kammerer, publicly questioned why the permit was approved, citing Jeremy's well-documented behavioral issues. The tragic incident highlighted concerns about gun control and the process for issuing firearm permits to individuals with a history of mental health challenges and violent behavior.
