Warwick native killed during restaurant robbery upstate

BY ERIKA NORTON
WARWICK — A robber shot and killed two employees at a Chili’s Bar and Grille outside of Syracuse on Saturday, including 29-year-old Warwick-native Kristopher Hicks.
Police say former Chili’s employee William D. Wood Jr., 32, entered the Chili’s in the town of DeWitt at 1 a.m. on Saturday. Wood shot and killed Kristopher Hicks and Stephen Gudknecht, 37, then stole $875 from the restaurant.
Hicks worked as a chef at the Chili’s restaurant and Gudknecht was a manager.
Wood fled the scene, but by 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, he was found about 30 miles north in the town of Fulton, where he was taken into police custody. Wood is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree robbery.
According to Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, they believe Wood intended to kill all four of the employees present at the restaurant at the time of the robbery, but it appears his gun may have jammed.
“Make no mistake,” DeWitt Police Chief John J. Anton said at a news conference, “Two innocent people were murdered by an evil person and I hope that person spends the rest of his life behind bars.”
Since Wood’s arrest, four other people have been taken into custody in connection with the double homicide.
One man, Ronald B. Green, 47, of Syracuse, is accused of driving Wood to and from the robbery with his toddler child in the car. He is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Tracey L. Brown, 53, of Syracuse is accused of providing the gun and is charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Her son Ryan J. Brown, 30, is accused of misleading police and is charged with second-degree hindering prosecution and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Most recently, Jerome C. Pinkard, 29, of Syracuse, was arrested Wednesday night and is accused of selling the gun to Tracey Brown that was used in the homicides. He is charged with third-degree criminal sale of a firearm.
Funeral set for HicksThere has been an outpouring of support from the community for the families of Hicks and Gudknecht. A candlelight vigil for was held outside the DeWitt Chili's restaurant on Sunday, where nearly 200 people attended.
Hicks was a loyal employee with the “Chili Family” for over 10 years, where he held various positions throughout New York State, according to his family. He was a 2007 graduate of Warwick Valley High School and a lifelong Mets fan.
“Kris was a determined self-made man who loved his family, friends and animals, especially cats,” the family said in a statement. “We will forever miss his smile and sense of humor.”
A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 22, from 12 to 3 p.m. at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
According to published reports, the service will be followed by a repast at the Chili's in Middletown, paid for by Chili's.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Warwick Valley Humane Society, PO Box 61, Warwick, NY 10990 or to a charity of one’s choice.
An online fund raiser has also been set up to help support the family. Those wishing to donate can visit https://bit.ly/2QGucQe.