A man accused of a brutal ax attack inside a Canandaigua motel had already faced three assault arrests in the past two years, according to 13WHAM-TV.
Prosecutors say Justin Rogers, 27, punched a man during a March 2024 fight at a neighboring motel, earning his first assault charge. In September, deputies charged him again after he allegedly punched and kicked a victim at the same motel, breaking and disfiguring the person’s nose.
That same day, Rogers also allegedly tried to punch an arresting deputy, injuring the officer’s knee. Despite those cases, authorities released him to pretrial services. He now remains jailed without bail on the latest charge.
One in custody after Canandaigua motel room axe attack, victim ‘critical’
A man is facing a felony assault charge after a violent incident left another man critically injured inside a Canandaigua motel room early Thursday morning.
Deputies say 27-year-old Justin A. Rogers assaulted 53-year-old John D. Kirby during a confrontation in Room 1 of the D&D Motel on County Road 50. Investigators allege Rogers used an axe to strike Kirby in the upper body, causing serious injuries.
Emergency crews responded to the motel around 7:30 a.m. on Friday after a welfare check call reported a possibly injured man. When deputies arrived, they found Kirby unresponsive with significant trauma to his upper body. He was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Rogers was arraigned in Ontario County CAP Court and is being held without bail pending further court action. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office at (800) 394-4560.
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