Police: Liquor store owner fatally shoots man swinging sword in Port Jefferson

A man swinging a samurai sword was fatally shot by an employee of Port Jeff Liquors in Port Jefferson Thursday, according to police.

News 12 Staff

Oct 3, 2019, 8:38 PM

Updated 1,663 days ago

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A man swinging a samurai sword was fatally shot by an employee of Port Jeff Liquors in Port Jefferson Thursday, according to police.

Suffolk County police say the owner of the store on East Main Street called 911 just before 2:30 p.m. to say a man walked in, swinging a samurai sword.

Police have identified the man as 50-year-old Theodore Scoville.

Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer says Scoville pulled out the sword and swung it at least three times at a very close distance to the person behind the counter at the liquor store.
 
Police say it was then that the store owner grabbed a legal gun and shot Scoville, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say they also found what looks like a hunting knife on him.

News 12 is told that video from inside the store is consistent with what the store owner told police.

Detectives are now retracing Scoville's actions leading up to the incident, as they say he is known to frequent the Port Jefferson area.

Police say they do not anticipate filing charges against the liquor store owner.


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