Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Adrian Lias of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on two counts of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and one count of Reckless Endangerment.

His co-defendant, 40-year-old Reginald Hokes of Charlotte, North Carolina, was also arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

It is alleged that at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 22, 2018, Lias shot a 29-year-old man and a 28-year-old man as they were sitting in a vehicle outside the Groove Lounge on Broadway in the City of Buffalo. One of the victims is a Buffalo Police officer who was off-duty at the time of the incident.

Witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle, which was located by Buffalo Police on Jefferson Avenue a short time later where both defendants were apprehended. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a .45 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat.

Both victims were taken to ECMC to be treated for their injuries, and have been released.

Lias and Hokes are scheduled to appear on Friday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Both defendants were remanded without bail.

If convicted on all charges, Lias faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. If convicted on the one charge, Hokes faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of the Buffalo Police Department patrol officers who were able to quickly locate the suspects.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.