Topline: A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas.
Published: April 15, 2026 9:00 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods
NEW YORK, NY — A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to the New York Attorney General, a Niagara County grand jury indicted Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods, 53, of Lewiston, and he was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Caroline Wojtaszek in Niagara County Court.
Prosecutors allege Woods shot and killed Skoczylas on Feb. 14, 2026, inside the home where the couple lived. Woods was off duty at the time of the shooting, the attorney general’s office said.
Judge Wojtaszek remanded Woods after arraignment and set May 8, 2026, as his next court appearance, according to the attorney general’s announcement.
Authorities said Woods was initially arrested after the shooting and was previously arraigned on Feb. 15 before Town of Somerset Justice of the Peace Pamela Rider in Niagara County’s centralized arraignment part.
The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison under New York law, according to the attorney general’s office.
The case is being handled by the attorney general’s Office of Special Investigation, which reviews incidents in which police officers or peace officers may have caused a person’s death, whether the officer was on duty or off duty.
The charge against Woods is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Buffalo Police Officer Indicted on Second-degree Murder Charge in Wife’s Shooting Death
A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 15, 2026 9:00 am ET
Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods
NEW YORK, NY — A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to the New York Attorney General, a Niagara County grand jury indicted Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods, 53, of Lewiston, and he was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Caroline Wojtaszek in Niagara County Court.
Prosecutors allege Woods shot and killed Skoczylas on Feb. 14, 2026, inside the home where the couple lived. Woods was off duty at the time of the shooting, the attorney general’s office said.
Judge Wojtaszek remanded Woods after arraignment and set May 8, 2026, as his next court appearance, according to the attorney general’s announcement.
Authorities said Woods was initially arrested after the shooting and was previously arraigned on Feb. 15 before Town of Somerset Justice of the Peace Pamela Rider in Niagara County’s centralized arraignment part.
The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison under New York law, according to the attorney general’s office.
The case is being handled by the attorney general’s Office of Special Investigation, which reviews incidents in which police officers or peace officers may have caused a person’s death, whether the officer was on duty or off duty.
The charge against Woods is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Buffalo Police Officer Indicted on Second-degree Murder Charge in Wife’s Shooting Death
A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 15, 2026 9:00 am ET
Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods
NEW YORK, NY — A Buffalo police officer has been indicted and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 14 shooting death of his wife, Alexis Skoczylas, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to the New York Attorney General, a Niagara County grand jury indicted Buffalo Police Department Officer Lance Woods, 53, of Lewiston, and he was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Caroline Wojtaszek in Niagara County Court.
Prosecutors allege Woods shot and killed Skoczylas on Feb. 14, 2026, inside the home where the couple lived. Woods was off duty at the time of the shooting, the attorney general’s office said.
Judge Wojtaszek remanded Woods after arraignment and set May 8, 2026, as his next court appearance, according to the attorney general’s announcement.
Authorities said Woods was initially arrested after the shooting and was previously arraigned on Feb. 15 before Town of Somerset Justice of the Peace Pamela Rider in Niagara County’s centralized arraignment part.
The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison under New York law, according to the attorney general’s office.
The case is being handled by the attorney general’s Office of Special Investigation, which reviews incidents in which police officers or peace officers may have caused a person’s death, whether the officer was on duty or off duty.
The charge against Woods is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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