MAYVILLE - Anthony Robert Taglianetti II has been named as the prime suspect in the murder of Clymer School District superintendent Keith Reed Jr.
Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace and District Attorney David Foley made the announcement at a news conference on Thursday.
"As of yesterday, the investigation moved forward very quickly through good police work, and we were able to identify the person that we believe is responsible for the death of Mr. Reed," said Gerace.
Article Photos
Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley, flanked by Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace, speaks during a Thursday press conference naming Robert Taglianetti II of Virginia as the primary suspect in the Friday killing of Clymer superintendent Keith Reed Jr.
P-J photo by Ryan Atkins
Taglianetti is at large right now, but according to Gerace, the Sheriff's Office is doing everything in its power to find him, apprehend him and get him to where he can be questioned. Taglianetti, an oral historian with the Marine Corps History Division's Field and Oral History Branch at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va., is believed to be armed and dangerous at this time. Anyone that comes in contact with him is asked to be cautious and to alert law enforcement as soon as possible.
According to Gerace, they now know that Reed's death took place on Friday evening and have information that places Taglianetti in Chautauqua County during that time period. At this time, it is believed that Taglianetti has fled the state and may be back in Virginia.
Foley also stated that at this point in the investigation, they do not believe that this homicide has anything to do with Reed's capacity as a superintendent at Clymer School.
"This was a personal issue, not a professional one," said Foley.
"This isn't a random act of violence," continued Gerace. "This individual wanted to do harm to Mr. Reed."
When asked about what made Taglianetti the prime suspect, Gerace said that at this time he was not at liberty to go into details, but as a result of the investigation, evidence has surfaced that has pointed law enforcement directly to him. At this time, a nationwide bulletin has been sent out, alerting all law enforcement agencies and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has dispatched a team to Virginia to continue the search for Taglianetti.
It is not believed that Taglianetti has any connection to the Western New York or Clymer area, and he has no known criminal record. Anyone with information regarding Taglianetti's whereabouts is asked to contact the Chautauqua County Sheriff at 753-4231 or 661-7231. For Virginia residents, the Prince William County Sheriff's Office in Virginia can be reached at 571-238-0731.