In the quiet evening of September 2, 2025, a violent altercation shattered the peace at the Grand Reserve at Pelham apartments. An argument between two men escalated, leading to a fatal encounter for 78-year-old Paul Tooson. Police were dispatched to the scene at approximately 8:13 p.m., where they discovered two individuals had been shot. Tooson was pronounced dead at the scene from a mortal wound.
The other man, identified as 51-year-old Saxon Benison, was found with a gunshot wound to his leg.
Emergency responders acted quickly, with officers applying a tourniquet to Benison's leg and providing life-saving measures before he was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were described as not life-threatening, and he was expected to recover. Investigators worked late into the night, documenting evidence and speaking with potential witnesses to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly confrontation. Authorities have indicated that the incident appeared to be isolated, with no wider threat to the public.
According to the initial investigation, the argument between Tooson and Benison turned violent when one of the men produced a firearm and shot the other in the leg. A struggle for control of the weapon ensued, during which the gun discharged a second time. It was this second shot that proved fatal for Paul Tooson. As of the last reports, the investigation was still active, with detectives working to determine who initially brandished the firearm. No arrests have been made, and no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
