17-year-old charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking grandmother with knife
Press Release, Undersheriff Chris Bourke of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
Brandon Foster
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office today arrested Brandon Foster, 17, of Albion following a violent incident at his grandmother’s house on Oak Orchard Road in the Town of Albion.
Undersheriff Christopher M. Bourke reports that shortly before midnight on July 8, Foster allegedly went to home of his grandmother, Rachael Spearance, located just outside the Village of Albion. Foster entered the residence by climbing on a chair and forcing a rear window open. Upon climbing through a window, Foster proceeded to the bedroom and began attacking his grandmother with a knife as she slept in bed.
Spearance began fighting back. Foster then placed her in a choke hold. Spearance was able to get away from Foster’s grasp and confront him about what he was doing. Foster then stole $23 cash and the victim’s cell phone and climbed out a different window and fled the scene.
Spearance, while bleeding profusely, was able to leave the residence and drive to Medina Memorial Hospital. Spearance was then transported to the Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight where she remains in serious but stable condition.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies and the Albion police officers arrived at the scene. The manhunt for the suspect took place in the Village of Albion throughout the night involving several agencies including the Sheriff’s Office, Albion Police, N.Y.S Police, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Bloodhound and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.
Several interviews were conducted and several houses and buildings were searched. K-9 units tracked the suspect for hours through the Village of Albion. Around 6 a.m., K9 teams were able to locate the suspect hiding in the bushes behind Burger King. The suspect surrendered peacefully at that time.
Foster is charged with attempted murder in the 1st degree, burglary in the 1st degree, assault in the 1st degree (all felonies), criminal obstruction of breathing and petit larceny.
Foster was arraigned before Albion Town Justice Joseph Fuller. Bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond. Foster is scheduled to return to the Town of Albion Court at 9 a.m. on July 11.
The investigation into this incident is continuing and further charges are pending.
