A former professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York allegedly shot the dean of the institution and one other man Monday outside a deli in Chappaqua, N.Y. The injuries are not life-threatening.
Dr. Dennis Charney, dean of Icahn School since 2004, was shot allegedly by Hengjun Chao, 49, a former faculty member who was fired in 2010.
Authorities suspect that the crime was an act of revenge against Charney and that the other man shot was an accidental victim, said Charles Ferry, the chief of police at the New Castle (N.Y.) Police Department, in a news conference Monday.
Both Charney and the other victim were taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., and they are expected to fully recover. The unnamed man was released from the hospital Monday.
In a prepared statement, Dr. Kenneth Davis, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System said, “This is an extremely disturbing event. Fortunately, Dr. Charney's injuries are not life-threatening, and we expect he will fully recover.”
Chao sued Mount Sinai in 2010 for discrimination after he was fired for research misconduct. The lawsuit was dismissed, the New York Times reported.
Chao was arrested at the scene, outside the popular deli, Lange's Little Store & Delicatessen.
Charney began his career in 1981 at Yale University as a professor of psychiatry. His research on depression has led to new treatments and therapies for the disorder.
During his tenure as dean at Mount Sinai, Charney has led a $2.25 billion strategic plan for 14 research institutes. He is currently developing the structure of new clinical institutes at the system.
