Crime
21-year-old Matthew Bartosik charged with murder for fatal shooting in Conklin
A Friday morning shooting in Conklin claimed the life of one man and left a woman seriously injured, according to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident unfolded on Leslie Avenue, prompting a swift response from local and state law enforcement agencies.
The deceased victim has been identified as Michael Lewis, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second victim, Jessica Kalyn Lewis, sustained serious injuries and was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.
At approximately 10:45 a.m., deputies and New York State Police officers responded to reports of a shooting involving a handgun at a residence on Leslie Avenue in the Town of Conklin. Upon arrival, officers encountered immediate resistance.
According to an anonymous witness, officers entering the property were met with gunfire. “They opened the front door and the guns went off,” the witness reported. “They retreated to put on their vests and returned with rifles.”
Despite the chaos, law enforcement successfully apprehended the suspect without further escalation.
The suspect, Matthew S. Bartosik, 21, has been charged with a series of felonies, including:
- Murder in the 2nd Degree (for the death of Michael Lewis)
- Attempted Murder in the 1st and 2nd Degrees (for the shooting of Jessica Kalyn Lewis)
- Criminal Use of a Firearm in the 1st Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree
- Aggravated Criminal Possession of a Weapon
- Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree
Bartosik was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility, where he awaits further legal proceedings.
Sheriff Fred Akshar assured the public that there is no ongoing threat. “What I can tell the public is that there is no ongoing public danger,” Akshar stated during a press briefing.
In the immediate aftermath, areas surrounding Leslie Avenue, including Suncrest Drive and Inamour Drive, were shut down to ensure public safety and facilitate the investigation.
Officials confirmed that the investigation is active and ongoing, with additional details expected as the case develops.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
This tragic event has left the Conklin community reeling, as investigators work to uncover the motives and circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”
