Penn Yan Man Killed in Stabbing Near Rochester

Suspect Richard Leo charged with murder in hotel incident

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:31am

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A 40-year-old man from Penn Yan, New York was killed in a fatal stabbing incident at an Extended Stay America hotel in Henrietta, near Rochester. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office arrested 36-year-old Rochester resident Richard Leo and charged him with murder in connection with the incident.

Why it matters

Violent crimes like this stabbing incident in a hotel are concerning for the local community, raising questions about public safety and security measures at hotels. The victim's hometown of Penn Yan is located about an hour away from Rochester, indicating this tragic event had ripple effects across the region.

The details

According to authorities, deputies found the victim, identified as Daniel Fiero, inside a hotel room covered in blood. The suspect, Richard Leo, was also at the scene and has been charged with murder. The incident occurred just before 3 pm on Saturday at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Henrietta.

  • The incident occurred just before 3 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Richard Leo was arrested at the scene of the crime.

The players

Daniel Fiero

A 40-year-old man from Penn Yan, New York who was killed in the stabbing incident.

Richard Leo

A 36-year-old resident of Rochester, New York who has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the stabbing incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must do everything we can to prevent such senseless acts of violence in our community.”

— Sheriff Todd Baxter, Monroe County Sheriff

What’s next

Richard Leo is being held at the Monroe County Jail and is awaiting his arraignment on the murder charge.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for increased security measures and crisis intervention programs to address violent crimes in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding communities.