2 plead guilty to their involvement in fatal assault in 2022

Photos: Erie County Prosecutor’s Office

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Hamburg residents pleaded guilty Friday to their involvement in a fatal 2022 stabbing in Lake View, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Officials said Kayleigh A. Skybyk-Schuh, 20, and Harrison J. Drozen, 22, both admitted to their roles in the fatal shooting of Brenden Benoit, 25, which occurred on July 10, 2022. Both were initially charged. according to the theory of complicit liability.

Officials said Skybyk-Schuh drove Benoit, along with three others, to a wooded area near Heltz Road. Drozen and two co-defendants allegedly hid in the woods to attack the victim.

Once he arrived in the wooded area, Benoit was allegedly punched by one of the defendants and tried to retreat into the vehicle to escape the attack, according to authorities. Jared M. Adamski, 27, then allegedly stabbed Benoit multiple times in the vehicle, before he and his co-defendants left the scene, leaving the injured victim behind. Benoît died instantly.

Skybyk-Schuh and Drozen were charged with one count of first-degree manslaughter. Additionally, Skybyk-Schuh was charged with tampering with physical evidence. They each face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison when they are sentenced on June 27.

In addition to Skybyk-Schuh and Drozen, Connor E. Krone, 22, Elexus O. Dean, 22, and a juvenile offender all pleaded guilty to charges related to the fatal stabbing.

Adamski was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence, and his case remains ongoing.