A Town of Tonawanda man faces up to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of charges related to a 2023 shooting incident on East Lovejoy Street in Buffalo.
Detrick D. Gray, 42, of Town of Tonawanda, was found guilty of first-degree attempted assault (Class C violent felony), one count of second-degree assault (Class D violent felony), one count of third-degree grand larceny (Class D felony) and one count of third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (Class A misdemeanor). State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek rendered his decision Wednesday following a five-day trial that occurred last week.
In November 2023, a woman took her vehicle to Gray’s auto repair business on the 800 block of East Lovejoy Street. Gray, who was known to the victim, agreed to perform the repairs at a cost of $1,500. After the victim paid the sum of cash and left her vehicle at his garage, he stopped communicating regarding the status of the repairs.
On Dec. 21, 2023, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the woman and her boyfriend went to Gray’s business to inquire about the vehicle. During a confrontation in the parking lot, Gray displayed a handgun and the woman’s boyfriend charged toward Gray in an attempt to redirect the weapon. Gray attempted to cause serious physical injury to the victim by intentionally firing multiple shots from his lawfully-owned and registered pistol.
The male victim was hit by gunfire and was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for gunshot wounds to his chest and shoulder. Gray also suffered a gunshot injury to his hand during the altercation. He was taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle.
Gray faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 3. Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said the prosecutor argued that Gray should be remanded pending sentence. Judge Wojtaszek continued the defendant’s release on previously posted bail set at $20,000 cash or bond, but also ordered that he be placed under the supervision of the Probation Department and wear an ankle monitor.
Keane commended Detective Natasha Anderson and Officer Joshua Evans of the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit for their work in the investigation, as well as victim advocate Tina Pilkey, chief of the ECDA Victim/Witness Services Bureau.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney James W. Mansour, II, of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.