Christmas Day Chaos: Violent Incident Unfolds In Town Of Chenango

An incident unfolded in the Town of Chenango on Christmas Day, as a domestic dispute escalated into a violent altercation involving a BB gun. The events that transpired on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, not only resulted in injuries but also led to the apprehension of Benjamin T. Engbrecht, a 49-year-old resident of the town, on a slew of criminal charges.

The situation began at approximately 8:26 p.m. when Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies reported receiving a distress call regarding a domestic dispute at a residence on Hiawatha Trail in the Town of Chenango. The report indicated that a female victim had sustained facial injuries and that a male, later identified as Benjamin T. Engbrecht, was potentially armed with a weapon. Upon their arrival, deputies discovered the female victim inside a vehicle in front of the residence, while Engbrecht was observed exiting the property through the front door.

Authorities say that Engbrecht’s disregard for the deputies’ commands led to a physical altercation, during which he resisted arrest before being subdued and placed in custody. Subsequent investigations revealed that an earlier domestic dispute involving Engbrecht and one of the victims had spiraled out of control.

When the victim’s daughter arrived to pick her up, Engbrecht is alleged to have physically assaulted the daughter using his fists and a shotgun-style BB/pellet gun. Broome County Sheriff’s say he then proceeded to threaten both victims with the weapon, intensifying the already precarious situation.

In the wake of these actions, Benjamin T. Engbrecht faces a litany of charges, including Assault in the 2nd Degree (a Class D Felony), Assault in the 3rd Degree (a Class A Misdemeanor), Menacing in the 2nd Degree with a Weapon (a Class A Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree (a Class A Misdemeanor), Resisting Arrest (a Class A Misdemeanor), and Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree (a Class A Misdemeanor).

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Following his arrest, Engbrecht was taken to Central Arraignment Part and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility, awaiting due legal process and the consequences of his alleged actions.