Key Takeaways:
– Two individuals were apprehended in connection with the fatal assault of a sergeant at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel in New York.
– The incident occurred early Sunday morning as the sergeant intervened to resolve a dispute.
– Genesee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran, was the officer killed during the altercation.
– The suspects, Michael J. Elmore and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, face multiple felony charges, including aggravated manslaughter and felony assault.
– The Batavia Police Department is seeking witnesses or video evidence of the altercation.
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In the wake of a tragic incident at New York’s Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, authorities have reported the arrest of two individuals. The event unfolded early Sunday morning, culminating in the death of a sergeant who intervened in a dispute. The Batavia Police Department has been at the forefront of the investigation.
Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, who was on a special assignment at Batavia Downs, responded to a disturbance at the establishment’s bar. The situation escalated when Sanfratello attempted to escort Michael J. Elmore and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox from the premises. Wilcox resisted, assaulting the 54-year-old sergeant, as detailed by Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch in a recent media briefing.
The altercation intensified when Elmore, having initially left the scene, returned and engaged in a violent confrontation with Sanfratello. Utilizing a heavy piece of jewelry as a weapon, Elmore further escalated the violence by placing Sanfratello in a chokehold and assaulting him with his fists.
Despite the efforts of several Batavia Downs security staff members and bystanders to revive Sgt. Sanfratello through CPR, he tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The incident did not result in any other injuries among officers or staff members.
Michael J. Elmore, 33, faces three felony charges, including aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, aggravated felony assault upon a police officer, and felony burglary in the second degree. Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, has been charged with felony burglary in the second degree and attempted felony assault in the second degree.
Sgt. Sanfratello, a dedicated 32-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, had a commendable career, having joined as a dispatcher in 1992 before rising through the ranks. He was honored as Deputy of the Year twice, a testament to his service and dedication.
The Batavia Police Department is actively seeking additional information and urges anyone who witnessed the altercation or has video evidence to come forward and contact the Batavia Police Department Detective Bureau. This tragic event has left a community in mourning and underscores the risks law enforcement officers face daily.