"We have four people dead, two injured," said Jack L. Keller, a New York State Police trooper.

The shooter remained on the loose, according to Chief Joseph Malone of the Herkimer police. At a news conference shortly after noon, Chief Malone identified the suspect as Kurt Myers and warned people that he was considered armed and dangerous. The police released a photo of the suspect, showing a man with a gray beard and gray hair. It was not clear what might have motivated him to go on a shooting rampage or what weapons he used.

Chief Malone said the police believed the suspect set fire to his home shortly after 9 a.m. and then went on a shooting spree in two communities in Herkimer County, near Utica.

The shootings took place at Gaffey's Car Wash on Mohawk Street in the village of Herkimer and John's Barber Shop on Main Street in Mohawk, according to the police.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was traveling with the State Police superintendent Joseph D'Amico to Herkimer, where they were expected to give an update on the situation.

At least a dozen police vehicles and ambulances converged at the two area businesses soon after the shootings, while the police searched for the gunman, according to the local police.

A helicopter circled over the small community, and local schools were placed on lockdown.

"We saw a guy walking around the shop," one woman who was at the gas station told WKTV. She said she saw two people who were shot on the ground.

"Then he took off in a Jeep Wrangler," she said of the shooter, adding, "There were empty rifle shells on the ground."

Greg Beasley, 70, who was near the carwash when the shooting took place, said he heard at least five gunshots around 10 a.m.

"I saw people running out from the one-store building in panic," he said when reached by phone.

"I know the people working there," he said. "I saw about four of them running out."

An additional four people were shot at the barbershop, witnesses and police officers said.

Vinny Ceneviva, 44, who owns Paesano's Pizzeria just down the street, said that he watched as police officers and ambulances converged on the building and brought out victims, including the owner of the barbershop, John Seymour.

Mr. Seymour was injured but alert when he was taken away in an ambulance, Mr. Ceneviva said.

"I have been here for 20 years, and John Seymour had his shop for 22 years," he said. "He was a good friend of mine."

The fire that was reported earlier occurred at 32 Washington Street, where property records show Mr. Myers, 64, lived since at least 2005.