Fired Hudson Valley Professor Charged with Trying to Murder Former Boss

A fired Hudson Valley professor is facing a number of charges after he allegedly shot his former boss, in an apparent act of revenge.

On Monday, in Westchester County Court, 49 year-old Hengjun Chao of Tuckahoe was arraigned on an indictment charging him with attempted murder, criminal use of a firearm and assault, all felonies.

On Aug. 29, Chao, a former professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, was parked at a Walgreens in Chappaqua waiting for the victim, Dr. Dennis Charney to exit the Lange’s Deli, officials say.

Once Charney exited the deli, Chao allegedly retrieved a shotgun and fired one shot, hitting Charney in the shoulder and chest area.

The deli is just a mile away from the New York home of Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Charney survived his injuries after spending five days in a hospital.

Chao was found by authorities in a parking lot across the street from the shooting. New Castle Police allegedly recovered a loaded shotgun in his vehicle. After his arrest, Chao told authorities he shot Charney, police say.

Chao was fired from his position as a research professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2009 by a committee that included Dr. Charney, the current dean of the college.

When questioned if the shooting was an act of revenge New Castle Chief of Police Charles Ferry told the New York Times, “It would seem to be. I think he came up here intent on shooting someone.”

Chao plead not guilty. His bail was set at $1 million.