Two Holding Center inmates stand accused of second-degree murder after investigators believe the two men followed another inmate into his jail cell on July 4, with one strangling the victim while the other held him down.
It took four minutes, law enforcement officials said, based on video evidence. Sheriff John Garcia also said two other inmates apparently witnessed the incident but said nothing.
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Antonio Pizarro’s body was found in his Holding Center jail cell Saturday, but he didn’t die on his own. It appears he was specifically targeted and killed by two others.
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Antonio Pizarro is dead, and it appears he was likely killed by others inside the jail.
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Holding Center inmate Chico Garcia, 49, of Buffalo, was charged with murder in the death of fellow inmate Antonio Pizarro. (Provided photo)
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Skyler J. Gill, 21, of Lancaster, was charged with murder, along with Chico Garcia, for the death of Holding Center inmate Antonio Pizarro. (Provided photo)
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Antonio Pizarro, 27, was found unresponsive in his Holding Center cell on July 4, 2026.
Courtesy of Nadia Pizarro
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Sandra Tan has been with The Buffalo News since 2000. She covers county government and can be reached at stan@buffnews.com.