Oriskany, NY (WIBX) - Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol officially announced the death of 24-year-old Deputy Sheriff Kurt Wyman. Wyman, an Iraq war Veteran, was shot and killed this morning after responding to a domestic incident in the Town of Augusta. Officials say it followed a 6 hour stand-off with 41-year-old Christian Patterson who threatened to kill his live-in girlfriend with a shotgun.

Sheriff Maciol says Patterson refused to surrender and made statements leading Deputies to believe that he intended to cause harm to himself. He added, "At approximately 2:00 a.m., as deputies attempted to take him into custody, Patterson shot and killed Deputy Wyman and shot at investigator David Nowakowski. Thereafter 3-members of the Sheriff's Office returned fire. Patterson was wounded and is currently at St. Elizabeth's Hospital."

Officials say Deputy Wyman, who leaves behind a pregnant wife, (currently in labor at the hospital) and 18-month-old toddler, was a decorated member of the Sheriff's Office since 2007. Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said if and when Patterson recovers from his gunshot wounds, he will be charged with Felony Aggravated Murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Officials say a child lived in the home but are not sure if he or she was in the house at the time of the incident. Also, they said the suspects live-in girlfriend was able to escape and take refuge with neighbors. The investigation is still actively developing and officials say they plan to hold another press conference in the near future as they learn more about what led to the death of Deputy Wyman.

Utica College released an officials statement revealing a connection to the suspect. Director, Media Relations, Christine Leogrande, in the statement said, "The suspected shooter, Chris Patterson, is an employee to the company that provides facility management services to the college."

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