HOMER, N.Y. — Tragic Homicide Investigation Underway After 53-Year-Old Anthony T. Beecham Found Dead in His Grove Street Home

HOMER, N.Y. — Tragic Homicide Investigation Underway After 53-Year-Old Anthony T. Beecham Found Dead in His Grove Street Home

HOMER, N.Y. — The peaceful village of Homer has been shaken to its core following the shocking discovery of a homicide early Wednesday morning. Authorities with the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 53-year-old Anthony T. Beecham was found deceased inside his residence on Grove Street, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds in what investigators are calling a “targeted and deliberate act of violence.”

Deputies responded to the home around 6:15 a.m., after receiving reports of possible gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered Beecham inside the residence, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot injuries. Despite efforts from emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, along with the New York State Police and Cortland County District Attorney’s Office, has since launched a full-scale homicide investigation. Detectives spent much of the day combing through the property, collecting evidence, and canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts.

Sheriff Mark Helms addressed the media Wednesday afternoon, calling the case “a deeply troubling and tragic situation.”

“This was not a random act,” Helms said. “At this stage in the investigation, we believe the victim knew his assailant. We are following several strong leads and are confident that justice will be served.”

The incident has left residents of Homer, a quiet village known for its close-knit community and historic charm, both stunned and fearful. Neighbors described Beecham as a longtime resident who largely kept to himself but was known for his friendliness and helpful nature.

“This is the kind of place where everyone knows each other,” said one neighbor. “You don’t expect something like this to happen here — especially not to someone like Tony. He was always kind, always willing to lend a hand.”

Sources familiar with the investigation have indicated that law enforcement is currently interviewing multiple individuals who may have been connected to Beecham or who were seen near his home in the hours before the shooting. Authorities have not yet named a suspect or released information about a possible motive, but early evidence suggests that the attack may have been personal in nature.

The Cortland County Coroner’s Office has taken custody of Beecham’s body, and an autopsy is scheduled to be performed later this week to determine the official cause and manner of death.

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information about the case — including suspicious activity observed in the Grove Street area between midnight and 6 a.m. Wednesday — to contact the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office.

The tragic discovery has sent shockwaves through the Homer community, prompting an outpouring of grief and disbelief. Friends and acquaintances have taken to social media to remember Beecham as a gentle, hardworking man with a quiet sense of humor and deep ties to the local area.

“Tony didn’t deserve this,” wrote one longtime friend. “He was one of the good ones — someone who cared about people and never looked for trouble. This is just heartbreaking.”

Local leaders have expressed condolences to the victim’s family and have urged calm as authorities continue their work. Community members are also discussing the possibility of organizing a vigil in Beecham’s memory in the coming days.

While Homer is no stranger to hardship, violent crime of this nature is rare in the village, which has prided itself on being a safe and welcoming community. Wednesday’s tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that even the quietest towns can be shaken by unimaginable violence.

For now, friends, neighbors, and loved ones are left to grieve the sudden and senseless loss of Anthony T. Beecham — a man whose life, though ended too soon, will not be forgotten.