Man charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, allegedly strangled victim with golf club

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, among other charges, after he allegedly strangled a female victim with a golf club Wednesday night, according to Orchard Park police.

Police say around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, dispatch received multiple calls from residents on Abbott Road near Brookview Terrace reporting a disturbance and a man with a golf club in his hands in the area.

Upon arrival, officers were allegedly met by a female victim who said she was assaulted and strangled with a golf club. She told them the alleged offender, 53-year-old Heath Snyder, was hiding in an upstairs crawl space in the residence.

Officers say they found Snyder in the crawl space brandishing a knife. After he refused to drop the knife, officers say a crisis negotiator was called in. Several hours later, Snyder exited the space and was taken into custody.

Snyder was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, second-degree menacing, first-degree criminal contempt and resisting arrest.

He was arraigned and remanded to the Erie County Holding Center.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.