Albany Med lockdown suspect facing murder charges

The man charged in last March’s Albany Medical Center lockdown – Dino Savoca – is facing new, more serious charges after he allegedly barricaded himself in his mother’s room in March.

The new indictment alleges Savoca, 61, killed his mother that day and tried to kill a police officer in the process.

Savoca is charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder in the first-degree and criminal possession of a weapon.

NewsChannel 13 was first to report that Savoca’s mother, Rosemary Appel, 97, died a day after her son allegedly barricaded himself in the her hospital room with multiple weapons – including a loaded shotgun, a BB gun and ammunition.

Detectives at an earlier city court hearing testified Savoca was not following orders from law enforcement as he remained locked down in the room for hours with his mother.

Detectives said when they finally entered, they saw Savoca’s mother was not conscious and slumped over the bed.

Now, the indictment says Savoca intentionally caused her death.

When police arrived at the trailer on Ahl Avenue in Albany where Savoca and Appel lived, they say they found his home filled with natural gas from a stove left on. He’s now charged with trying to kill a police officer performing official duties at his home that day.

Savoca will be arraigned in Albany County Court, Wednesday morning at 9:30.