A Buffalo police officer now faces a second-degree murder charge after authorities say he fatally shot his wife while off duty.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest and arraignment of Lance Woods, 53, of Lewiston, in connection with the death of Alexis Skoczylas.
Authorities say Woods, a member of the Buffalo Police Department, allegedly shot his wife on Saturday, Feb. 14 while at home with his family, causing her death.
Officials arraigned Woods before Town of Somerset Justice of the Peace Pamela Rider in Niagara County’s centralized arraignment part. The court remanded him into custody.
Under New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation reviews any incident where a police or peace officer may have caused a person’s death, whether the officer was on or off duty. If the office determines an officer caused the death, it conducts a full investigation.
The Attorney General’s Office thanked the Town of Lewiston Police Department, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Niagara Falls Police Department, and the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office for assisting in the case.
Officials noted that criminal charges are accusations and that the defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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