Police: Penn Yan man had gun on school grounds in Seneca Falls

Authorities say a local man is facing serious felony charges after he was found with a rifle on school grounds in Seneca Falls.

Gary A. Shoff, a 76-year-old Penn Yan resident, was arrested by Seneca Falls Police on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. for having a rifle in his vehicle during a school function. The incident occurred on school property and resulted in a charge of possession of a firearm on school property, a Class E felony.

According to a report at the event, authorities were alerted to the presence of the firearm. During the investigation, police confirmed the rifle was in Shoff’s vehicle. He was then taken into custody and processed by the local police department.

Shoff was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Seneca Falls Town Court at a later date to answer the charges. Seneca Falls police emphasized that the rifle was never displayed and posed no threat to participants or the school event.

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