Clifford Beauchard, 34, and Justin Acevedo, 19, were shot and killed by co‑worker Connor Provo, 22, at the Specter K-9 boarding and training facility in Catskill on Dec. 12, 2023; Provo then died of a self‑inflicted gunshot wound.

The killings left staff at an upstate canine facility and Beauchard’s former colleagues reeling and prompted an investigation by the New York State Police with assistance from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. This tragic event has raised concerns not only about the immediate safety of dog training facilities but also about the overall industry, pointing to the importance of implementing comprehensive safety measures to protect staff and clients.

State police identified the time of the shooting as Dec. 12 at approximately 12:18 p.m., according to local reporting and the facility’s public statements.

Officials said all three men worked at Specter K-9, the Catskill dog boarding and training operation where the incident occurred. Beauchard was described in subsequent accounts as a dog trainer; Acevedo was the son of the facility owner; Provo was a worker at the site. Beauchard and Acevedo were discovered together inside a building on the property, and Provo was later found deceased from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. Such violent incidents can severely erode public trust in the pet training industry, especially as concerns grow about safety and regulation.

Beauchard’s connection to the shelter community drew attention after the killings. He had previously worked at Hi Tor Animal Shelter in Pomona, and Hi Tor leaders and former colleagues described him as devoted to animals. “Cliff was a God-loving, animal loving soul,” said Kim Von Hein, Hi Tor’s Board President.

Former Hi Tor staff offered further recollections. “He was very quiet, calm, and focused on animals,” Rick Tannenbaum, the shelter’s former executive director, said. Jennara Cobb, a former Hi Tor canine manager, added: “Cliff had a heart of gold.” The Rockland County Business Journal published reporting on Beauchard’s background and the shelter’s reaction in a feature on the incident.

Members of the Hi Tor community said board members, former staff and volunteers helped Beauchard settle in Catskill and offered financial support while he transitioned from the shelter to the training facility. Hi Tor leaders described the organization as responding with “deep shock and grief,” and noted the shelter community has been involved in assisting where it can.

The New York State Police are leading the investigation with assistance from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, which both listed among the organizations involved in the response. Specter K-9 is identified in records as the site of the shooting and the employer of the three men.

Family notifications and investigative steps were handled by law enforcement agencies on scene, and local officials continue to coordinate the inquiry. Public statements from the investigating agencies confirmed the incident has been classified as a murder‑suicide.

The community response has centered on grief for the two victims and support for those who worked with them. Hi Tor officials said staff and volunteers have been providing help to navigate practical and emotional needs following the deaths. This situation highlights the economic pressures dog trainers face, which can lead to high-stress environments; slow client growth and rising operational costs pose continuous challenges in the industry.

As investigators continue their work, the names and roles of the three men—Clifford Beauchard, Justin Acevedo and Connor Provo—remain central to the official accounts of what authorities have described as an on‑site murder‑suicide.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.