Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 20-year-old Vincent Manirakiza of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge under the theory of accomplice liability for his role in a homicide that occurred last year.
On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at approximately 2:38 p.m., the defendant, while acting in concert with a juvenile offender, unlawfully entered a home on the 200 block of Koons Avenue in the City of Buffalo through a window. Once inside of the home, the juvenile offender, who was 15-years-old at the time of the crime, intentionally shot two teenagers with an illegal “ghost gun.”
One victim, a 17-year-old female, died at the scene. Due to the age of the deceased, her name will not be released by our office. The second victim, a 19-year-old male, was taken to ECMC where he was treated for an injury to his arm.
The juvenile offender, 16-year-old male from Buffalo, pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony), the highest charge in the indictment, on October 11, 2022. He is currently serving an indeterminate sentence of 12 years to life in prison.
Manirakiza faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. He continues to be held without bail.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the Felony Trials Bureau.