Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a jury has found 39-year-old Demetrius D. Williams of Buffalo guilty of one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). He was acquitted of the attempted murder charge. Jurors rendered their decision this afternoon after nearly seven hours of deliberation following a six-day trial.

On June 26, 2021, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal firearm on Marigold Avenue near Central Park Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

The victim, a 42-year-old man, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was hospitalized for a gunshot wound to the base of his skull, which severed his spinal cord. The victim was paralyzed from the attack. He is receiving long-term care at an assisted living facility. 

Williams faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced as a second felony offender before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to remain held without bail.  

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit and the U.S. Marshals Office for their work in this investigation.   

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Peter M. Pinelli of the Felony Trials Bureau.