Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Mario Jones of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” felonies) and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony).

On January 1, 2021, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot a male victim with an illegal gun at a gas station on East Ferry Street near Jefferson Avenue. The defendant dropped the gun as he fled the scene. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was treated for an injury to his face. The weapon was recovered and tested for evidence.

On March 20, 2021, at approximately 12:48 a.m., Buffalo Police officers initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle that drove through a stop sign on Kehr and French Streets. As the driver pulled over on Urban Street, the defendant ran out of the vehicle. The defendant was taken into custody after a brief chase. Officers found a loaded, illegal pistol on the ground in the defendant’s flight path.  

The defendant was initially charged and arraigned on the gun charge for the incident in March. The defendant was indicted on both cases after he was linked to the gun in the January incident through DNA analysis.

Jones faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced as a second violent felony offender on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to remain held without bail.

DA Flynn commends Det. Nicole Krug, Det. Chris Schafer and Lt. Jon Pietrzak of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian D. Langenfeld of the Major Crimes Unit.