On a tragic evening in Pleasant Valley, New York, a violent dispute cut short the life of 20-year-old Anthony Gabriel Cuozzo. The young man, a graduate of Arlington High School and the School of Audio Engineering in Manhattan, was fatally shot on October 5, 2024, at a residence on Rawls Road. Anthony, known for his humor and creativity, was remembered as a person who brought joy to those around him.
The incident unfolded when New York State Police and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a violent altercation. Upon arrival, they discovered two individuals with serious injuries. Anthony had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while a 53-year-old man, Thomas Case, had a stab wound to the chest. Both men were transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Anthony succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Vassar Hospital.
According to the initial investigation, the altercation began with a dispute during which Anthony allegedly stabbed Case. In response, Case is said to have shot Anthony multiple times. Following the incident, Case received medical treatment for his stab wound, and after surgery, he checked himself out of the hospital. The situation escalated further when Case was reportedly involved in a second dispute upon returning to the residence, during which he was struck by a blunt object, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.
In the months following the incident, the investigation led to the arrest of Thomas Case. In January 2025, a Dutchess County grand jury indicted Case, and he was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Anthony Cuozzo. He also faced charges of criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors stated that Case 'intentionally' shot Anthony multiple times with a semi-automatic pistol. Following his arraignment, Case was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail without bail.
