A Buffalo police officer faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting his wife dead at their upstate New York home amid a pending divorce. The case has triggered a state-level investigation due to his law enforcement status.
Incident Details
Lance Woods, 53, a detective with the Buffalo Police Department since 2008, was off-duty when he reportedly killed 35-year-old Alexis Skoczylas on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at their residence on Buffalo Street in Sanborn (near Lewiston and Sanford). Lewiston Police responded to a welfare check that evening, found Skoczylas deceased inside, and pronounced her dead at the scene. Their two children were home at the time but are now with relatives; no prior domestic violence calls were recorded at the address.
Arrest and Charges
Woods fled but was apprehended in a traffic stop by Amherst Police between 3-4 a.m. Sunday. He was arraigned that day before a Town of Somerset Justice on one count of second-degree murder and ordered held without bail at Niagara County Jail. Amherst Police Chief Michael Salada noted Woods’ long service, including as a school resource officer post-2017 promotion.
Ongoing Investigations
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is leading the probe per state law on officer-involved deaths. Buffalo PD’s Internal Affairs is reviewing his timeline and cooperating fully, with Interim Commissioner Craig Macy confirming inter-agency efforts to locate Woods post-homicide alert around 1 a.m. Sunday. Skoczylas had filed for contested divorce in September 2025.
This tragedy highlights domestic risks in law enforcement households, though specifics on motive or weapon remain unreleased pending OSI updates.
