By Paul J. Condra
We believe the priest was the target, Homicide Det. Sgt. Herb Daub said on Wednesday afternoon. He was the intended victim.
But police continue to seek a motive in the case, trying to determine why someone would want to shoot a priest.
The Rev. Lawrence Penzes, 50, and Eileen Tosner, 73, were killed in the shootings, which occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Witnesses said the priest had just finished reading the homily when he was gunned down.
After fleeing the church, the gunman barricaded himself in his nearby apartment for the next seven hours. The gunman's standoff with police ended when six to eight police officers stormed the suspect's home at 56 Fowler Avenue, where he was holed up inside.
He was arrested after lunging at police with a folding-knife, attempting to stab them, officials said. The suspect was identified as Peter Troy, 34, who was charged with two counts of murder in the second degree, and one count of attempted murder. He was arraigned on the charges on Wednesday before District Court Judge Steven Jaeger, and held without bail, authorities said. His next court date is scheduled for March 15.
A motive for the shooting remains a mystery as of Wednesday, police said.
Those present at the Mass emerged from the church terrified and shaken, having witnessed one of the most horrific events to ever occur in Lynbrook.
I heard the shots, three shots, and somebody yelled,
