Police: Fenton Man Was Armed with AR-15 Rifle, Ammo and Knives

A Broome County man who was sought after making threats against law enforcement faces several felony charges.

Authorities said 36-year-old Ian Rotunno of 6035 Route 79 in the town of Fenton was armed with an AR-15 rifle when he was taken into custody near his home Thursday.

State police were sent to Rotunno's residence around noon Wednesday after authorities were notified by the Mental Health Association of the Southern that someone had expressed concern for the man's welfare.

Captain Jason Cease said troopers made contact with Rotunno outside his home. The man then allegedly went inside and armed himself with an AR-15 style rifle.

Law enforcement officials speaking to reporters at the State Police Kirkwood station on July 14, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Cease said after Rotunno exited his residence, there was "further dialogue" with troopers. The man then fled into a wooded area behind his home.

A perimeter near the residence was established and a manhunt involving several police agencies was launched.

Members of the Broome County Metro SWAT unit made contact with Rotunno around 3 p.m. Thursday in the woods near his residence. Cease said they convinced him to surrender a short time later.

Cease said Rotunno was in possession of the AR-15 style rifle which was not compliant with New York State's SAFE Act. He said the weapon is a "ghost gun," an untraceable weapon without a serial number.

An AR-15 style "ghost gun" along with ammunition and knives seized after a manhunt in North Fenton. (Photo: New York State Police)

Rotunno also allegedly had two high-capacity magazines with armor-piercing ammunition and two knives.

Rotunno has been charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was being held at Broome County Jail without bail.

In a bizarre social media rant posted on the Fourth of July, Rotunno apparently wrote: "Don't worry, I'm not gonna die." He described an improvised weapon and suggested "whoever they send for me" will be killed.

The message was critical of police and the nation's criminal justice system. The post concluded with: "I'm going to f--- em up while knowing what I'm doing is right."

Property records show Rotunno acquired the house and land on Route 79 in March 2018 for $50,000.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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