CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — New York State Police have announced the arrest and arraignment of William Larson Jr., 17, of Clarksville, in connection to the deaths of two people.
On Sunday, New York State Police formally identified those two victims as 67-year-old William S. Larson Sr. and 50-year-old Lisa Larson.
Larson was arraigned on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree manslaughter following a fire at a house in Clarksville, in Allegany County. Two bodies were found inside the house. Investigators have not identified the bodies and are working to determine how the victims died, but neighbors tell 7 Eyewitness News the victims are Bill and Lisa Larson, William's parents.
New York State Police tell 7 Eyewitness News Larson cooperated with investigators and made an admission during questioning.
Larson was found on the scene of the fire at Courtney Hollow Road as firefighters were attempting to extinguish it, but he left the scene before police arrived. A manhunt followed, with three schools closing for the day. State police were able to apprehend Larson on Thursday afternoon after a day-long search.
Neighbors also tell us Larson Jr. had been acting strangely the last few days and was firing multiple rounds from a gun throughout the day and during overnight hours - around 3 a.m. each day.
Stephanie Lampack, who lives across from the Larson's and leases property from the family. Lampack told reporter Ed Reilly that she had known the boy's mother, Lisa, for 20 years and they had talked about trying to get help for the teenager's behavior problems without success.
Lampack said she had not seen her friend for several days, which is unusual. "I would at least see her in passing," added Lampack, who believes both Lisa and William (Bill) Larson were killed by their son.
The neighbor said Lisa worked a lot of hours while William was a stay-at-home husband.
Another neighbor, Colton Yehl, said police were often called to the Larson's home because of the teen driving recklessly "and acting crazy." "We are still just trying to take it all in. Bill and Lisa were good people," said Yehl.
Both neighbors said they worried that something bad was bound to happen because of the boy's unpredictable behavior.
William Larson Jr. is being held at the Erie County Youth Services Center on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.
