Neighbors: Pittsford homicide suspect polite

As neighbors processed the news of a homicide on Coach Side Lane in Pittsford, many had good things to say about the 19-year-old accused of shooting his father to death.

Samantha LiMuti, a neighbor who lives across the street, said the suspect, Charles Tan, was "the sweetest boy" and that he was outgoing and great with her children, getting down on their level to smile and talk with them.

Tan was arraigned Tuesday on a second-degree murder charge in Pittsford Town Court.

According to court documents, Tan is accused of shooting his father, Liang Tan, 49, several times with a shotgun, hitting him on the chest, arm, neck and face inside their home Monday evening. Charles Tan is being held in Monroe County Jail without bail.

Alex Woodard, 20, who was in Tan's 2013 Pittsford Mendon graduating class, said he and his peers are reeling from the shock.

"I would have never expected it," he said. "From what I know of him, I don't see him as a cold-blooded killer."

Woodard had only a few classes with Tan over the years, but described him as a friendly and helpful classmate.

"He was such a nice guy," he said. "Everyone seemed to like him."

"My first concern was for Charlie and his mom," said former neighbor Angie Faust of San Antonio. She said she heard the news from friends from the neighborhood who called and texted her. She lived across the street from the Tans from 2008 to 2013.

"I really like them and worried about them," Faust said.

Charles Tan "was polite, well-mannered. A great neighbor and a really good kid," she said. He had worked with her children at the YMCA and "whenever he saw I needed assistance, he was right there."

Deputies said they responded to the Tan home shortly after 6 p.m. Monday for a report of a domestic dispute. When deputies arrived, they found Tan and his mother, Qing Tan, standing outside the house.

Liang Tan was found inside with gunshot wounds to his upper body, said Monroe County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Drew Forsythe. During a search of the property on Tuesday, police said they found a shotgun in the garage.

Attorney James Nobles, who is representing Tan, said there was apparently domestic violence in the household stretching back "decades," with the father victimizing his wife and two sons. He said he is still looking into the alleged violent incidents.

"We've started our own investigation," Nobles said.

Police had been called to the Pittsford home several times in the past for reported domestic incidents, according to Cpl. John Helfer of the sheriff's office.

"I heard yelling numerous times, even with the house closed up," LiMuti said, referring to a time when she had been playing in the front yard with her children.

She said she has seen police cars at the home several times over the years.

"This is a very quiet and very safe neighborhood, but I don't know what happened last night," said Asia Asad, who lives next door to the Tans.

Asad also said she has heard yelling from inside the Tans' home and arguments in the garage or backyard.

Faust said that Qing Tan "is a wonderful person, kind and generous," adding that Tan knew Faust was often home alone when she lived there and offered to be there if she needed her.

"I feel bad for the family and everyone involved," she said. "It's heartbreaking."

Liang Tan, who previously worked for Eastman Kodak Co. for 20 years, was the president and chief executive officer of Dynamax Imaging, which specializes in manufacturing image sensors. In 2013, Dynamax announced that it would be expanding and moving to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Canandaigua. Regarding Tan's death, the company did not issue a statement, only saying they were "taking care of things" internally.

Charles Tan is enrolled as a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, where he plays sprint football, according to the university website.

Joel Malina, vice president of university relations at Cornell, released a statement offering condolences: "Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time."

The Pittsford Central School District notified parents Tuesday morning that staff is available for families who are looking for support.