Alexis Skoczylas — Police Officer Charged in Wife's Shooting Death

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Summary: Alexis Skoczylas, 35, a devoted mother and educator, was fatally shot in the head during a domestic altercation at her Sanborn, New York, residence on February 17, 2026. Her husband, Lance L. Woods, 53, a seasoned Buffalo police officer, faces second-degree murder charges after authorities discovered her body following welfare checks and his brief station visit with their unharmed sons. The case has sparked community outrage and departmental suspensions, reports say.

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SANBORN, N.Y. (DailyKenn.com) — A veteran Buffalo police officer faces murder charges after his wife was found shot dead in their home, prompting an investigation into domestic violence and departmental procedures, officials announced.

Lance L. Woods, 53, was arrested early Sunday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Alexis Skoczylas, 35, according to Lewiston police. Authorities said the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute, with Skoczylas suffering a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The couple's two young sons were not harmed but were present in the home earlier that day, police added.

The sequence began Saturday morning when Skoczylas was last seen alive, investigators determined. By mid-afternoon, her mother and sister grew concerned after failing to reach her. The mother contacted Buffalo police around 4:30 p.m. seeking Woods' contact information, as she lacked his number. Shortly after, the sister dialed Erie County's non-emergency line to report the worry. At 5:30 p.m., the mother called again, noting that Lewiston officers had visited the Buffalo Street residence for a welfare check but found no one there.

Later that evening, around 7:52 p.m., Woods appeared at Buffalo's D District station with the children, where he spoke briefly with a police captain, authorities reported. Woods departed with the boys at 8:05 p.m. following a shift change. Lewiston police returned to the home just after midnight and discovered Skoczylas' body, pronouncing her dead at the scene from the shooting.

Woods became a person of interest by 12:45 a.m. Sunday. Amherst and Cheektowaga officers detained him around 3 a.m. in a coordinated stop. He was interviewed later that morning and formally charged. Buffalo police suspended Woods initially with pay, then without, pending the probe. The captain who met with him was also suspended with pay for potential policy violations, interim Commissioner Craig Macy said, emphasizing the department's commitment to accountability.

Family accounts highlighted Skoczylas' devotion as a mother, teacher and high school volleyball coach. Relatives described her as a beloved community member whose sudden loss left a profound void. In court Tuesday, Woods waived his appearance at a preliminary hearing, as loved ones wearing "Justice for Alexis" shirts embraced amid tears. A fundraiser quickly raised funds for funeral costs and custody proceedings to place the boys with their maternal grandmother.

Residents in the quiet Niagara County town expressed shock, noting it had been over a decade since a similar crime occurred. Community members rallied with condolences, prayers for the children and calls for stronger protections against domestic violence. "This shakes our small community to its core," one neighbor said, reflecting widespread grief. The New York Attorney General's Office is handling the prosecution due to Woods' role in law enforcement.

The case remains active, with officials urging anyone with information to come forward.

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