On July 30, 2026, at approximately 2:51 p.m., Putnam County 911 received a report of a disturbance at the United States Post Office on Fair Street in the Town of Carmel. Dispatchers quickly received updates that the suspect was armed with a knife and that a post office employee had been stabbed.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded immediately and arrived moments after the incident occurred. Upon arrival, a deputy encountered the suspect still armed with a knife and deployed a Taser, allowing officers to take the suspect into custody without further incident.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by private vehicle to a local hospital for treatment.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office commends the professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by the responding deputies, Putnam County 911 dispatchers, the Carmel Police Department, EMS personnel, and all responding agencies. Their rapid response, communication, and coordinated actions brought a dangerous and rapidly evolving incident to a swift and successful resolution.
The investigation is being conducted by the Carmel Police Department.
Howard McNiff, 38, of Rockland County, was arrested.
Carmel Police Department officers and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported stabbing at the United States Post Office located at 29 Fair Street in the Carmel hamlet, Town of Carmel, on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
At approximately 3:00 p.m., Putnam County 911 received a call reporting a disturbance at the location. Updates from the dispatch center indicated that an assault had occurred and that a victim had sustained multiple stab wounds.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived almost instantly to the assault in progress and deployed a Taser, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Responding officers and deputies were advised that the victim, an employee of the post office, was transported by private vehicle to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates the suspect was known to the victim. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the community.
Fair Street between Route 52 and Vink Drive was closed to traffic for approximately two hours to facilitate the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing by Carmel Police Detectives. The suspect remains in custody with criminal charges pending at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and as the investigation permits.
The Carmel Police Department thanks the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their assistance.
Media reports claim that McNiff knew the injured USPS employee, a 61-year-old Carmel man whose name has not been released.