An upstate NY man shot and killed another man who was pulling into his driveway, police said

An upstate New York man was arrested after he shot and killed someone plowing his driveway during a snowstorm, according to New York State Police.

Walter M. Blaze, 57, of Collins, N.Y., was charged with attempted murder and assault Tuesday after a five-hour standoff, troopers said. The incident began with a shooting around 10:20 a.m. at a residence in Collins, according to police.

Police say the investigation revealed Blaze used a firearm to shoot a 23-year-old man from Gowanda, NY. The victim was plowing the driveway in a 2023 LS 4×4 tractor when he was shot and fled the area.

Troopers set up a perimeter with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Border Patrol, state police said. The area was evacuated as authorities negotiated with Blaze for five hours.

Blaze was taken into custody after the house was gassed, police said. A Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun was located inside the home.

The victim, who has not been identified, was hospitalized at Erie County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Police have not said whether Blaze knew the victim personally or what the events leading up to the shooting were. Said the neighbor WIVB that Blaze lived in an apartment complex and appeared to shoot a gun through a window.

Blaze was charged with 2nd degree attempted murder, 1st degree attempted assault, 2nd degree assault and 2nd degree criminal mischief (3 counts). He was processed and arraigned in Brant Court and remanded to the Erie County Holding Center without bond.

Collins is located in Erie County, about 30 miles south of Buffalo.