Police: Few answers after retired cop kills daughters, self

HARRISON, N.Y. — Investigators continued talking with neighbors and gathering evidence Sunday, one day after a retired White Plains police officer was believed to have killed his two daughters before killing himself.

"At this point, we're trying to evaluate everything," Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said Sunday.

The former officer, Glen Hochman, 52, was found dead Saturday along with daughters Alissa Hochman, 17, and Deanna Hochman, 13, at the family home in Harrison, N.Y.

Marraccini said three dogs also were found dead.

"It looks at this time that the father killed the two girls and then himself," Marraccini said. He said the motive was unknown.

Police tape surrounded the home Sunday, where sources say Hochman killed the girls, his two youngest daughters. A Harrison police car was parked in front, and the New Rochelle Humane Society was on the scene.

Marraccini said a weapon, believed to be used in the killings, was recovered.

"As of now, it would appear that both victims were shot, as was their father," he said. Investigators are awaiting word from the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office on the exact cause of death, Marraccini said.

Marraccini said Anamarie Hochman, Glen Hochman's wife, and Samantha Hochman, the couple's oldest daughter, were not home when the deaths occurred. He said someone else reported the incident, and it was his understanding that police found the victims.

Marraccini planned to speak with them Sunday, but he would not say where they were.

Officers first responded to the home about 3:50 p.m. Saturday.

Glen Hochman was a decorated officer when he retired from the White Plains Police Department in January. He was one of several officers to be presented in May with his department's Lifesaving Award.

David Chong, White Plains public safety commissioner, said Hochman proudly served the city for more than 20 years.

"The department is shocked and horrified by the news of this unfathomable tragedy," Chong said in a statement. "We can only pray for the family. Officer Hochman served this department and the city of White Plains with honor and integrity for over 22 years."

Hochman suffered an ankle injury in early May when he fell while helping a disabled motorist. He missed four months of work after having surgery on the ankle. He had passed 20 years on the job, so he was planning for retirement, said his union lawyer, Warren Roth. Hochman sought a disability retirement because of the injury but had not been depressed over it, Roth said.

Roth had known Hochman for more than 25 years, even before he became a cop, since both worked as emergency medical technicians with the Harrison ambulance corps. Roth got a call to go over to the Hochman residence Saturday once the union was contacted.

"It's just devastating to a lot of people," Roth said. "He was always a quiet, reserved guy, nothing ever seemed to unsettle him. ... And he was wonderful with his daughters, a devoted father. That's the scary part. There was absolutely no seeing this coming."

In a statement on the Harrison school district's website, Superintendent of Schools Louis N. Wool said Alissa, a high school senior, and Deanna were "both lost to incomprehensible tragedy."

He said the response of the district community to past tragedies has been inspiring and that he expects the students and staff will be no less resilient this time.

"In this awful moment, let us remember how proud we are of (the high school community), how much they have helped others and how much they will help others again," Wool said.

Deanna Hochman attended the Windward School in White Plains. John Russell, the head of the school, said their community was devastated by the loss.

"We mourn their passing and offer our heartfelt condolences to their family," he said.

Families and friends turned to social media to express their grief and anger over the shooting.

"I have known the Hochman family since I was little and I just can't even believe that this happened," wrote Julia Martinez on Twitter.

"Whats going on in this world," Alejandra Diaz wrote on Twitter. "I dont understand[.]"

Hashtags popped up on Twitter with the names of the two sisters, virtual look-alikes despite their difference in age, including #RIP to Alissa and Deanna.

On her Facebook page, Alissa said she enjoyed volunteering and Rangers hockey, and posted pictures of her adventures, often with her boyfriend.

Deanna, four years younger, posted photos of herself laughing with friends, frequently flashing a smile that showed off her braces.

From all appearances online, the Hochman family was outwardly happy and healthy.

Several neighbors described the Hochman family as kind and helpful.

Dante Garritano, who lives three houses down from the Hochman residence, saw the flashing lights of police and emergency services when he came outside in the snow Saturday evening.

"I heard someone screaming and crying loudly," Garritano said Sunday. "I thought in all the snow someone had an accident. The last thing I expected to hear was that he killed himself and his two kids.

"I can't understand, no matter what problems that you have you take out (on) your children. I have two children, I'd step in front of a train for them."

Robbie Carducci, 23, attended school with the Hochmans' oldest daughter and said he used to deliver pizzas to their home.

"You would never expect something like that from them," he said.

Contributing: Jonathan Bandler and James O'Rourke, The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News; The Associated Press.