Lake Luzerne Man Arrested After Late-Night Standoff at Local Restaurant

Lake Luzerne Man Arrested After Late-Night Standoff at Local Restaurant

A Lake Luzerne man was arrested following a late-night standoff at The Waterhouse Restaurant on Route 9N, according to law enforcement officials.

Ted Backus, 40, faces third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a domestic dispute escalated early Sunday morning.

Incident at The Waterhouse

Police were called just after midnight to respond to a domestic dispute involving a woman who had sustained injuries. When authorities arrived, they were informed that Backus may have been armed and had barricaded himself inside the closed restaurant.

With concerns about a possible firearm involved, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team was dispatched to the scene.

Backus initially refused to respond to police requests for nearly 30 minutes. Eventually, officers entered the building, at which point Backus surrendered from a utility closet without further incident.

A handgun, which Backus did not have a permit for, was recovered inside the restaurant. Fortunately, no shots were fired, and the victim’s injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

Legal Proceedings & Background

Backus was arraigned and sent to Warren County Jail, though he later posted bail on Sunday.

Authorities also confirmed that Backus is the brother of two Warren County Sheriff’s Officers, Richard and William Backus. However, officials emphasized that the investigation and arrest were handled impartially.

What’s Next?

Backus will appear in court to face charges related to the domestic dispute and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Law enforcement continues to remind the community that resources are available for domestic violence victims and encourage those in need to seek support.

For updates on Lake Luzerne, Hadley, Hadley-Luzerne, Town of Day, and Stony Creek, visit HadleyLuzerne.com.