Tyler Russell, 24, a man released on parole in February following a grand larceny conviction, was arrested Monday on six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of arson after a fire destroyed the Knights Inn in Endwell, New York, killing six people and displacing dozens more. New York State Police linked Russell to the blaze at the Broome County hotel, which serves as transitional housing for people placed by the Broome County Department of Social Services.
Scene and Emergency Response
First responders arrived at the Knights Inn at approximately 6 a.m. after reports of a fire came in to dispatchers. Endwell Fire Department crews found the structure fully engulfed — heavy black smoke pouring from the front, flames visible at the rear. The fire spread rapidly enough that additional fire departments and law enforcement agencies were called in to assist. Two survivors were transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the six people who died.
The Endwell Fire Department issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims and their families, describing the event as a tragic loss felt across the entire department and community.
Displacement and Relief Efforts
A Red Cross volunteer estimated that 73 people were displaced by the fire, according to reporting by the Democrat and Chronicle. The American Red Cross provided immediate assistance to displaced guests, and a temporary shelter was established at Vestal United Methodist Church. The United Way of Broome County launched an emergency relief fund that has raised tens of thousands of dollars in donations.
The Knights Inn is one of several local hotels contracted by the Broome County Department of Social Services to house homeless residents — a detail that gives the fire added policy weight for county social services administrators tracking shelter capacity in the region.
Suspect Background and Charges
Russell served approximately two years in state prison on a grand larceny conviction before his release on parole in February, according to prison records cited by Syracuse.com. He was booked into the Broome County Jail on Monday pending arraignment. Authorities have not announced a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.