Girl shot, suspect in custody

LIVINGSTON MANOR – A 16-year-old Livingston Manor girl is in Westchester Medical Center after she was shot in the neck Sunday night, Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff said.

Police arrested a 55-year-old man, who they believe lives at the same address, less than an hour-and-a-half later in Fallsburg.

The girl’s condition was listed as serious, but stable, the sheriff said.

After the shooting, sheriff’s deputies and State Police conducted a search of the area with the assistance of a state EnCon Police K-9 unit.

Shortly before 8 p.m., a suspect was arrested, said Schiff.

“Acting on a tip, patrols from the Sheriff’s Office, State Police and Town of Fallsburg Police surrounded a house at 19 Riverside Avenue in Fallsburg and took into custody Isabelino Diaz, age 55, of 655 Old Route 17 in Livingston Manor, the same address as the victim,” he said.

The relationship between the girl and Diaz has not been established, Schiff said.

Meanwhile, Livingston Manor school officials have brought in crisis counselors to meet with any faculty, staff or students who may need to talk to someone about the incident.