The brutal beatings of two brothers in New York Monday have an entire community scratching their heads after police arrested their parents and several church members in connection to the crime.
Locals are looking for answers after the alleged beatings of 19-year-old Lucas Leonard and his 17-year-old brother in New Hartford.
Police were first alerted when Leonard arrived at a local hospital as a reported "gunshot victim." Initial reports say guns weren't involved, and Leonard later died from severe blunt force trauma injuries.
The investigation brought authorities to Word of Life Church in New Hartford. Police tactically entered the church and found a second victim who they believe is Leonard's brother, who was also severely beaten, but alive. He remains hospitalized in serious condition. (Video via WSYR | WWNY)
"The whole time I lived here in this area I've never seen anybody there or go in there," one neighbor told WSTM.
"Never seen much activity. I've never seen anybody coming in or going out. The only things we ever heard was dogs barking," another neighbor said.
Aside from several questions left unanswered, what's even more puzzling is the brothers' parents, Bruce and Deborah Leonard were arrested on manslaughter charges. They have pleaded not guilty. (Video via Time Warner Cable News)
In all, six were arrested for the brothers' beatings — the Leonard couple for manslaughter and four others on assault charges.
