Lance Woods Was Off-Duty When He Allegedly Fatally Shot His Wife
New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment and arraignment of Buffalo Police Department (BPD) Officer Lance Woods, 53, of Lewiston, Niagara County, on the charge of Murder in the Second Degree. The indictment alleges that on February 14, 2026, Woods shot his wife, Alexis Skoczylas, causing her death. Officer Woods was off-duty at the time.
Woods was arraigned today before Judge Caroline Wojtaszek at Niagara County Court and was remanded. Judge Wojtaszek set May 8, 2026 as the next appearance date in court. Woods was initially arrested after the shooting and previously arraigned on February 15 by Town of Somerset Justice of the Peace Pamela Rider in Niagara County’s centralized arraignment part. Murder in the Second Degree carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
On February 14, in the house where Woods and his wife lived, Woods allegedly shot Ms. Skoczylas, causing her death.
Pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
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