August 19, 2026 - Menacing Arrest

On August 17, 2026, at approximately 2:57 AM, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Cayuga Medical Center, located at 101 Harris B. Dates Drive in the Town of Ithaca, for a reported menacing incident.

Deputies interviewed Cayuga Medical Center Security Officers, who stated that they were escorting a patient, Gary L. Comfort II, age 49 of Ithaca, from triage to a bathroom to change into a hospital gown. When Security opened the door after Comfort indicated he was finished, Comfort allegedly revealed a knife from behind his back and lunged toward Security. Security Officers were able to slam the door, preventing injury, and subsequently detained Comfort with the assistance of additional staff. The Sheriff’s Office was then notified.

On August 19, 2026, at approximately 2:10 PM, Deputies arrested Comfort and charged him with:
• Menacing in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)

Comfort was processed and released on an appearance ticket in accordance with New York State bail laws.