Manhunt underway after deadly house fire in Greenville, N.Y.
New York State Police are looking for a man they say is connected to a homicide that happened Thursday in Greenville in New York's Orange County.
Greenville is located roughly 135 miles north of New York City.
The incident started when state police responded to a house fire at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. After the fire was extinguished, a man's body was found inside the house.
The victim's daughter told CBS News New York the person who died was 70-year-old Robert Ryan. She described her father as giving, funny and always smiling. She said he never gave up on his family and does not deserve this.
A preliminary investigation revealed the fire was deliberately set, according to police.
Surveillance video captured the victim's son, 32-year-old Thomas David Ryan, walking into his father's home Thursday evening, then running out about 45 minutes later after what sounds like an explosion.
State police are now leading the search for Thomas David Ryan. He is believed to be driving his father's 2016 gray Toyota Prius with a New York license plate HNH-7671.
He was last seen in the area of Greenville Turnpike wearing black sweatpants and a black T-shirt. He is 6 feet 2 inches and approximately 200 pounds, officers said.
Thomas David Ryan is believed to be armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone who comes into contact with him is urged to be careful.
Relatives say he has long suffered from mental health struggles and has a previous criminal history.
State police have coordinated an "extensive, multi-agency effort" with other departments, crime analysis centers, transportation officials and aviation resources to find Thomas David Ryan.
Police are asking residents in the area to review any home surveillance footage recorded from 6 p.m. Thursday through the overnight hours. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call police immediately.
"The assistance of the community is critical, and even the smallest piece of information could prove invaluable in bringing this investigation to a safe resolution," a statement read.
Thomas David Ryan has connections in Suffolk County and in upstate Clinton County.
Anyone who sees him should contact SP Middletown BCI at 845-344-5300 or dial 911.
Neighbors say they are stunned by what happened. Neighbor Dylan Acevedo tried to rescue Robert Ryan when he noticed the flames.
"I went inside the house, and the kitchen was in flames. I tried to call people. No one answered. I had to get out of there, and then the whole house just lit on fire," Acevedo said. "It broke my heart. Because, like, how could you do that to somebody? Very old man. How can you do that?"
"My son called me because he's in the fire department. He said I think the house across the street from you is on fire. We looked out the window and we saw smoke," neighbor Ruth Daily said. "It's sad. What else can you say?"
Neighbors in the area say there is fear in the community with Thomas David Ryan still on the loose.
"I told my husband to lock the doors. We never lock the doors. I said 'lock the doors.' He's like, 'he's long gone.' How does he know that?" neighbor Lori McClintock said.
