Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Adrian Lias of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class “B” felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony. The defendant pleaded guilty on January 2, 2019 to the highest charge in the indictment against him.

On July 22, 2018, at approximately 3:30 a.m., two men were exiting the Groove Lounge on Broadway in the City of Buffalo when they were shot by the defendant. The defendant was located a short time later in a vehicle on Jefferson Avenue where officers found him in possession of a .45 caliber pistol. The firearm was analyzed and matched the weapon used in the shooting.

Both victims have made a full recovery from their injuries.

Lias faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 2 p.m.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of the Buffalo Police Department, including Officer Aaron Bennett who was on patrol and recognized the defendant's vehicle as one matching the description of the car leaving the scene of the crime.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan of the DA’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.