The Broome County Sheriff's Office provided an update regarding the fatal shooting at 58 Leslie Avenue in the Town of Conklin that took the life of one and severely injured another on Friday, January 3, 2025.

It was announced that 21-year-old Matthew S. Bartosik was responsible for the incident that left 61-year-old Michael K. Lewis of Conklin dead and another unnamed female family member severely injured. The injured female family member was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center on Friday and the Sheriff's Office says she's currently in stable condition. 

The incident occurred Friday at 10:35 a.m. 

"It's important that we remind ourselves, we remind your viewership, that domestic violence continues to be a very real and recurring issue," Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said. 

According to police, Bartosik got into an argument with his mother about living arrangements, to the point where Lewis and another family member attempted to intervene. 

The 21-year-old allegedly went to another room, returned with a .22 caliber handgun, and immediately shot Lewis in the face. Another female family member tried to intervene but ultimately was also shot in the face by Bartosik. 

"Within 9 minutes. A Broome County Sheriff's deputy and very, very shortly thereafter, a member of the New York State Police arrived on the scene at 58 Leslie Avenue," Akshar said. 

When the County Deputy and State Trooper arrived at the scene, the two immediately made contact with three residents of the home who fled outside. As the County Deputy and State Trooper attempted to enter the house, Bartosik fired at the two with a pistol from inside the house. 

Additional enforcement arrived and before entry into the house was made, the 21-year-old responded to verbal comments, exited the house, and surrendered. 

"Law enforcement very quickly secured the area and assisted two victims that had suffered gunshot wounds inside the home," Akshar said. 

Bartosik was charged with the following seven charges:

  • Murder in the 2nd Degree, a Class A-I Felony
  • Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class A-II Felony
  • Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, a Class A-II Felony
  • Criminal Use of a Firearm in the 1st Degree, a Class B Felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony
  • Aggravated Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class C Felony
  • Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree, a Class E Felony

The 21-year-old was arraigned at the Central Arraignment Part and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility. 

Sheriff Akshar said Bartosik had gotten into a dispute with family earlier in December. After he moved into the house with his mother and brother back in November 2024, Bartosik got into a physical altercation with family members on Christmas 2024.

"This incident stemmed from an ongoing domestic situation between Bart Sick and his uncle, Michael Lewis, and five other family members who lived in the home on Leslie Avenue," Akshar said. 

Bartosik did not legally possess the murder weapon and Broome County Sheriff's Office investigators are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to find out how he obtained the gun.