Posted on: March 21, 2026 10:00 AM

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Fugitive wanted for attempted murder in Louisiana arrested in ontario county

On March 17, 2026, at approximately 5:59 p.m., the New York State Police received a License Plate Reader (LPR) alert on a vehicle traveling on the New York State Thruway associated with a wanted individual out of Louisiana.

A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was broadcast to Thruway units and Troop E Zone 1 patrols. At approximately 6:12 p.m., members assigned to SP Canandaigua located the vehicle at a 7-Eleven gas station near the Geneva Thruway exit.

Troopers approached the operator, identified as Ethan T. Middleton, age 23, and took him into custody without incident.

In plain view inside the vehicle, troopers observed and secured two loaded firearms:

•    A 12-gauge Mossberg sawed-off shotgun

•    A Ruger PC Charger 9mm AR-style pistol with a 32-round magazine

Further investigation revealed Middleton is wanted by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana for:

•    Attempted Murder in the Second Degree

•    Illegal Use of a Weapon or Dangerous Instrument

•    Aggravated Assault with a Firearm

Middleton was charged in New York with:

•    Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree (C felony)

•    Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree(D felony)

•    Driving While Intoxicated

The vehicle was secured and transported to SP Canandaigua, where a search warrant will be sought.

Middleton was transported to the Ontario County Jail, where he is being held on New York State charges and as a Fugitive from Justice pending extradition to Louisiana.

From NYSP