An Elmira man accused of shooting a woman inside her Canandaigua home before leading police on a pursuit through Ontario County has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges.
According to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Wayne Spencer, 50, entered a not guilty plea Tuesday.
Canandaigua Police allege Spencer shot a 67-year-old woman during a domestic violence-related incident on June 24 at her Center Street home. Investigators said the victim, who is the mother of Spencer’s girlfriend, was found in her kitchen suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.
Emergency crews treated the woman at the scene before she was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Authorities say Spencer fled the area after the shooting. A short time later, an Ontario County sheriff’s deputy spotted his vehicle on Routes 5 and 20 in Geneva and attempted a traffic stop.
Police said Spencer refused to stop, leading officers on a pursuit that ended when his vehicle crashed into a parked car and a utility pole on Milton Street. He then allegedly fled on foot before being taken into custody.
Investigators said a handgun recovered from Spencer’s vehicle matched the firearm used in the shooting.
Spencer remains in custody.
