Report: Shotgun used in killing of Cornell student's father purchased in Cortland County

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A shotgun that was purchased in Cortland County was allegedly used by a Cornell student to kill his father, according to a new report.

Charles Tan was charged in February with second-degree murder in the death of his father, Liang "Jim" Tan.

Last month, an investigator with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office testified that Tan had tried unsuccessfully to purchase a firearm from the Ithaca Walmart, according to the report.

Unnamed sources tell the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle that Tan likely asked a friend to purchase a shotgun from the Cortland Walmart Supercenter.

Charles Tan (Monroe County Sheriff's Office)

Charles Tan (Monroe County Sheriff's Office)

His attorney, James Nobles, previously told WHAM Radio in Rochester that Tan's father was physically abusive toward him and his family.

"We've had a number of cases that started murder in the second (degree) that have either resulted in lesser charges or ... a finding of not guilty," Nobles told the station in February.

The former Cornell student and Rochester area native received an outpouring of support from friends and family in the days following his arrest.

An online fundraiser on GiveForward.com for Tan's legal defense fund raised more than $47,000.

Tan's trial is scheduled to begin in September.


 

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