Ithaca homicide update: Suspect arraigned, victim identified

Justin Barkley (Photo: Tompkins County Jail)

Justin Barkley (Photo: Tompkins County Jail)

ITHACA, N.Y. — The man accused of fatally shooting a UPS driver Thursday morning was arraigned in Ithaca City Court.

The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Justin Barkley, of Dryden. Barkley has been charged with second-degree murder, a felony.

Investigators have determined that the suspect and victim, identified as William Schumacher, 52, of Candor, did not know each other prior to the shooting. Police said Barkley and Schumacher did not have any prior interactions with each other.

At about 12:52 a.m. Thursday, Ithaca police responded to a report of a shooting in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Ithaca. When officers arrived, they found one man who was down in the parking lot. The suspect had fled.

A BOLO, or Be on the Look Out, was issued and two Cayuga Heights police officers spotted a vehicle matching the description by Stewart Park traveling north on Route 13. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over but the suspect continue onto Route 366 and went to his residence. Police say the suspect fired one round at the police officers who pursued him. He then barricaded himself in his residence for several hours before surrendering at about 9:45 a.m.

Related: Suspect in custody after fatal shooting outside Ithaca Wal-Mart

Barkley was arraigned before Judge Scott Miller at about 3:30 p.m. where he pleaded not guilty. Barkley was represented by attorney Lance Salisbury.

Barkley was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail without bail.

Barkley is due to reappear in court at 8:45 a.m. Dec. 14.