by Lewiston, New York — A Buffalo police detective has been charged with murder after authorities say he fatally shot his wife inside their upstate New York home while their two children were present.
According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers responded Saturday to a request for a welfare check at a residence in the Town of Lewiston. When officers arrived, they located 35-year-old Alexis Skoczylas inside the home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later arrested her husband, 53-year-old Lance Woods, who is currently employed as an officer with the Buffalo Police Department. Officials confirmed Woods was off duty at the time of the alleged shooting.
Arraigned on Second-Degree Murder Charge
The New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) has taken over the case due to Woods’ status as an active law enforcement officer.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that Woods was arraigned on one count of second-degree murder and ordered held at the Niagara County Jail.
Because the case involves a police officer, state law requires an independent review by the Attorney General’s Office.
The Buffalo Police Department confirmed that its Internal Affairs Division is reviewing the timeline of events and cooperating with state investigators.
Children in the Home at the Time
Lewiston Police Chief Michael Salada told local media that the couple’s two children were inside the house when the shooting occurred. The children are now in the care of relatives.
Woods was reportedly apprehended between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday by officers from the Amherst Police Department and taken into custody without incident.
Divorce Filing Months Earlier
While Woods and Skoczylas were still legally married, reports indicate that Skoczylas had filed for divorce in September 2025, several months before her death.
Police stated that there had been no prior domestic violence calls to the home.
Woods has been with the Buffalo Police Department since 2008 and was promoted to detective in 2017. During his career, he also served as a school resource officer, according to local reports.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The case remains under active investigation by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations.
As with all criminal proceedings, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Lewiston and Buffalo communities are grappling with the shock of the incident, as both law enforcement agencies continue cooperating in the review.
Community members are encouraged to share thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
