CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) — A brutal attack inside a Canandaigua motel room left a man critically injured after authorities say he was struck in the head with an axe during an overnight altercation.
Ontario County deputies responded Friday morning to the D&D Motel on County Road 50 after an employee requested a welfare check. Inside Room 1, they found 53-year-old John D. Kirby unresponsive with severe head injuries described as “significant traumatic wounds.” He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition following emergency surgery.
According to a felony complaint filed in Canandaigua Town Court, 27-year-old Justin Alan Rogers allegedly attacked Kirby with an axe, causing a large wound to the scalp and skull. Investigators say the weapon was used in a manner “readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.” The assault is believed to have occurred several hours before the 911 call.
Rogers, who resides at the motel, was detained outside the room without incident. He is charged with first-degree assault, a Class B violent felony, and is being held without bail. Authorities confirmed Rogers is also facing unrelated assault charges from a previous case involving injuries to a civilian and a sheriff’s deputy.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office says forensic teams are processing the scene and executing search warrants. Deputies are asking anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious late Thursday night or early Friday morning near the D&D Motel or along County Road 50 or Lakeshore Drive to contact the Ontario County 911 Center at (800) 394-4560…