Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Ivan L. Gilbert of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in the indictment against him.

On October 14, 2020, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the male victim was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked outside of a store on East Amherst Street in the City of Buffalo when the defendant approached while armed with an illegal pistol. The defendant, with the intent to cause the victim’s death, fired multiple shots into the vehicle. The victim was hit once in the neck, but survived. A 4-year-old child, who was sitting in the backseat, was unharmed.

The defendant was located a short time later by Buffalo Police officers who witnessed him attempting to discard the illegal weapon. He was also linked to the recovered weapon through DNA evidence.

Gilbert faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Tactical Prosecution Unit.