Two men were arrested and charged after an incident in Broome County yesterday that triggered lockouts at local schools and hospitals.
According to the Broome County Sheriff’s office, Nicolas Skiba, 42, and Keith Hall, 28, were each charged with five counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s office said Skiba went on Facebook Live yesterday, streaming himself in ballistic body armor while driving, with a handgun-style weapon in the car. Hall was a passenger.
Law enforcement began an investigation and contacted Skiba's family members. Schools and hospitals associated with Skiba's relatives underwent lockout protocols, which triggered other facilities in the area to take similar precautions. UHS Wilson Medical Center and UHS Binghamton General Hospital, as well as Whitney Point and Chenango Valley school districts,all initiated lockouts.
Hall and Skiba were arrested in Chenango, at a home where the Sheriff’s office says law enforcement found other weapons and ammunition, including rifles, shotguns and handguns. Lockouts were lifted after the two were arrested.
In addition to the criminal charges, the Sheriff’s office also obtained orders under the state’s Red Flag Laws to prevent Hall and Skiba from purchasing or possessing firearms.