There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding what led to the shooting death of a Texas man in the Town of Waterloo last week.
Investigators aren’t giving many details, but they say they know who pulled the trigger.
Lieutenant Timothy Thompson tell us a there was bar fight 30 minutes before 37-year old Wayne J. Ellison, Jr., of Waterloo shot 33-year old William J. Waugh of Euless, Texas. Investigators say it happened in an enclosed porch at a home where a wedding was planned on Route 96.
“There are certainly a lot of rumors out there,” says Lt. Thompson. “But we can confirm that the dispute at the local establishment took place. We are sticking with those facts and those facts only. Whatever led to that bar fight escalated into the shooting.”
Investigators say the district attorney is working to have Ellison extradited back to Waterloo to answer to murder charges. They say 36-year old Christopher T. Kesterson of Phelps provided assistance to Ellison in the shooting.
Fundraiser started for family after Waterloo murder: Two men charged with second-degree murder
A family friend of the victim killed in a violent murder last week in Waterloo has launched a GoFundMe for the wife, and two children left behind.
Katie Turvey, organizer of the GoFundMe, started the GoFundMe after Will Waugh and his wife Sara returned home for a wedding.
She posted the following message on GoFundMe:
On the night of Thursday September 29,2022, our amazing friends Will and Sara Waugh were visiting their hometown in the anticipation of celebrating the wedding of close friends. A normal Thursday night out that started with love and memories being made amongst friends ended in tragedy when a senseless and criminally evil act ensued that ended in Will’s life being taken far too early from this world.
Anyone who has ever had the chance to meet or know Will could tell you he was the most caring, loving and protective and giving man you could ever meet. He loved his family and friends with every ounce of his being and made that very well known to everyone and anyone around him. This tragic and senseless loss has left so many of us reeling and has left a huge void in so many lives.
Will leaves behind a wife that he has spent his whole life next to that he loved more than anything and two young and beautiful boys who are now forced to grow up without their father. We are asking for our friends and families help to come together to make sure Sara, Steven and Jaxson are taken care of as best as we possibly can, the way Will would have for any one of us if we needed him. There is going to be many expenses coming that no one was prepared for and we want to do everything we can to make this aspect of the grieving process as smooth as we can for the family at such a hard time. Any and all donations are so greatly appreciated and we thank you all in advance for coming together and supporting the family through this extremely difficult time.
– GoFundMe by Katie Turvey
A fundraising goal of $10,000 was set to help Sara, Steven, and Jaxson.
While details about the incident that led to the shooting are few-and-far between, investigators believe a fight at a local bar started it off.
Lt. Tim Thompson said Waugh was shot on the porch of a home on Route 96 in Waterloo a little after 1 a.m. The shooting took place 30 to 40 minutes after the initial dispute.
Two face murder charges as homicide investigation continues in Waterloo
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection to the death of a Texas man in the Town of Waterloo.
The Sheriff’s Office says early Friday morning, officers responded to a call that a man was shot on Route 96.
Officials say by the time they got there, the suspects were gone.
Emergency responders transported 33-year old William J. Waugh of Euless, Texas to Geneva General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say an investigation led to the arrest of 36-year old Christopher T. Kesterson of Phelps. He was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault for his role in the killing.
Deputies also arrested 37-year old Wayne J. Ellison, Jr., of Waterloo. Officials say Ellison is currently being held in Tampa, Florida, on an arrest warrant on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, first-degree burglary, and endangering the welfare of a child.
While details about the incident that led to the shooting are few-and-far between, investigators believe a fight at a local bar started it off.
Lt. Tim Thompson said Waugh was shot on the porch of a home on Route 96 in Waterloo a little after 1 a.m. The shooting took place 30 to 40 minutes after the initial bar dispute.
According to a news release, the Tampa Police Department took Ellison into custody and he is scheduled to be extradited back to New York at a later date.
Kesterson is scheduled to appear in court this week.
Homicide under investigation in Waterloo
There’s been a homicide in Waterloo.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is conducting a murder investigation in the town of Waterloo.
According to a news release, more details will be available later in the day.
At this point though, Sheriff Luce confirmed that the victim was the intended target and it was not a random act of violence.
He says there is no risk to the public at this time.
The sheriff’s office is working with the Seneca County District Attorney’s Office, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Lt. Tim Thompson at (315) 220-3449.
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