ENDWELL, NY — A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal fire at the Knights Inn that killed six people, including three young children.
Tyler J. Russell, of Endwell, was arrested at approximately 8:26 p.m. on June 22, 2026, and charged with six counts of manslaughter in the second degree, a class C felony, and one count of arson in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
The victims have been identified as Michelle D. Woolfolk, 58, who was found on the first floor of the building.
A family of five was located on the second floor: Dominique A. Cruz-Champion, 27; Josh Molyneaux, 29; Ella N. Cruz-Molyneaux, 3; Romyn J. Cruz-Molyneaux, 2; and Zachariah Cruz-Molyneaux, 10 months.
The Broome County 911 Center received multiple reports of a fire at the Knights Inn, located at 2603 East Main Street, at approximately 6:01 a.m. on June 22, 2026.
Members of the Endwell Fire Department arrived shortly after 6 a.m. to find heavy black smoke in the front of the building and flames showing from the rear.
The fire spread rapidly.
At least two people were transported to Wilson Medical Center.
The Broome County Fire Investigation Team, with support from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, determined the origin of the fire involved human factors and eliminated other possibilities like electrical or natural causes.
Russell was processed at State Police Endwell and turned over to the Broome County Jail for centralized arraignment.
New York State Police said there are no other suspects and every person who was in the building has been accounted for.
Numerous residents were displaced and assisted by the Red Cross, with a temporary shelter set up at the Vestal United Methodist Church.
Multiple fire departments, ambulance crews and police agencies responded to the scene.
State Police are reminding people that the building is not safe and should not be accessed.
Anyone with pertinent information is asked to call (607) 561-7400.
