Officials: victim knew suspected killer

CLYMER, N.Y. (WIVB) - A massive manhunt is now underway for the man accused of killing Clymer Superintendent Keith Reed.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are working together to find the suspect, 42-year-old Anthony Robert Taglianetti. At first the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, State Police and the FBI were on this case. Now that authorities know the suspect lives in Virginia, sheriff's deputies down south have joined in the search.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said, “Mr. Taglianetti is at large right now, we are doing everything in our power right now to find him and get him apprehended, and get him where we can question him.”

Besides the name of the suspect, one new fact to come out of Thursday’s press conference was when the murder occurred. Previously all that was released was that Keith Reed’s body was discovered Monday.

Gerace said, “The death of Mr. Reed took place Friday evening, and we have information that puts Taglianetti in Chautauqua County Friday night.”

It appears Reed and Taglianetti knew each other, though police won’t tell how.

“We can say that they're not unfamiliar with one another,” said Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley. “This situation has nothing to do with Mr. Reed's capacity as the superintendent. It was a personal issue, and not a professional one.”

Law enforcement officials would not talk about a motive, but they believe Taglianetti traveled from his home in Virginia to commit the crime.

Gerace said, “This isn't a random act of violence. This individual wanted to do harm to Mr. Reed."

Police believe that Taglianetti was returned to Virginia and is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, police say do not try to approach him, call police instead.