Canandaigua, N.Y. — A man is facing serious charges following a violent incident that occurred at a local motel, leaving another man in critical condition. Justin A. Rogers, 27, allegedly used an axe in the attack on 53-year-old John D. Kirby early Thursday morning at the D&D Motel on County Road 50.
Authorities responded to a welfare check around 7:30 a.m. and discovered Kirby unresponsive with severe injuries to his upper body. Emergency teams airlifted him to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition under medical care.
Investigators allege that the confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in the axe attack. This incident marks a troubling chapter for Rogers, who has a history of violence and was previously arrested three times for assaults over the past two years. His first assault charge came in March 2024 after he allegedly punched a man at a nearby motel, followed by another arrest in September 2024 for punching and kicking another victim. That attack resulted in significant facial injuries for the victim.
Additionally, authorities reported that during that same September incident, Rogers attempted to assault a deputy who was involved in the arrest, causing injury to the officer’s knee. Despite these previous arrests, he was released to pretrial services before this latest attack, leading to questions about the handling of his case.
Following the most recent allegations, Rogers was arraigned in Ontario County CAP Court and is currently being held without bail as the legal process unfolds. Authorities have confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public related to this case.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling 800-394-4560. This latest episode highlights ongoing concerns about recidivism in violent crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in ensuring community safety.