Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Abdula Hussein, 27, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). Hussein entered a guilty plea to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a reported shooting at a corner store located on Broadway near Sears Street. Officers found the victim, 62-year-old Tawfaik Alsheari, deceased inside of the store. The defendant, who was an employee of the store, shot his co-worker. He was apprehended by police a short time later.
Hussein faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.
DA Keane commends Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad Detectives Christopher Sterlace, Mark Costantino and Adam Stephany for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the Major Crimes Bureau, Chief Alicia M. Lilley of the Felony Trials Bureau and Chief Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Felony Trials Bureau.