Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 27-year-old Rickey L. Bryant of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony).

On January 19, 2021, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the defendant shot the victim multiple times inside of a convenience store on Doat Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 35-year-old Tony D. Rookard, died from his injuries at the scene.

Bryant faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to remain held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in the investigation as well as the U.S. Marshals Service for locating the defendant in Dallas, Texas.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Homicide Bureau.