CHADWICKS, N.Y. -- A husband and wife are charged in connection with the death of their son, along with several members of a local church.
It all started around 12:30 Monday afternoon when New Hartford police say 19-year-old Lucas Leonard showed up at St. Luke's Hospital with what was reported as a gunshot wound, and was later pronounced dead.
Family interviews led police to two possible crime scenes, the Word of Life Church in New Hartford and a home on Main Street in Clayville.
SWAT teams gained entrance to the church. Several church members were interviewed and multiple children were secured from the church and turned over to Oneida County Child Protective Services.
Police say the victim sustained apparent blunt force trauma to his body during an assault, and they have not confirmed the initial gunshot report. But an autopsy is being conducted to determine cause of death.
A 17-year-old was also serious injured -- due to blunt force trauma. His name is not being released.
The parents of the deceased, 65-year-old Bruce Leonard and 59-year-old Deborah Leonard, are both charged with first-degree manslaughter.
Four additional members of the Word of Life Church, Joseph Irwin, David Morey, Linda Morey and Sarah Ferguson, are all charged with second-degree assault.
Police are not releasing any specifics, as to how the six people arrested were allegedly involved, or why several children were handed over to child protective services. But they say additional arrests and charges are expected.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Hartford Police at (315) 724-7111.