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Gunman Sentenced for Killing Victim During Attempted Burglary in Buffalo's Kensington Neighborhood

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Levon Dickson, 50, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to 20 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported shooting on the 300 block of Warwick Avenue. Officers found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound on the porch of a residence. The victim, 60-year-old Mitchell Reese, died at the scene. The investigation determined that the defendant was attempting to commit a residential burglary when he shot the victim with an illegal gun. 

Dickson pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) in full satisfaction of the indictment on October 23, 2024.

Acting DA Keane commends Detective Jennifer Zanghi, Detective Christopher Sterlace, and Detective Joseph Ruggierio of the Buffalo Police Department for their work on this case.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau and Chief Noha A. Elnakib of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.

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