Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Kevon Walker of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree and Attempted Assault in the First Degree.

It is alleged that on April 4, 2018, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a man approached Buffalo Police officers on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Goodell Street, saying a man shot toward him near the McCarley Garden apartments. The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle.

The patrol officers located the suspect vehicle near the apartment complex and activated their lights to initiate a traffic stop. The defendant, the alleged driver of the vehicle, did not stop and attempted to flee police by traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph and failing to stop at traffic signals. The pursuit ended when the defendant lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a building on the corner of Genesee Street and Bissell Avenue.

The defendant suffered injuries to his head, eye and leg. His passenger, 26-year-old Keith Mixon of Buffalo, died from his injuries.

Walker is scheduled to return on Friday, September 14 for motions.

If convicted on all charges, Walker faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of the Buffalo Police Department, including Officers Vincent Judge, Thomas Olejniczak and Andrew Shea as well as Homicide Detectives Michael Mordino and James Dunham. DA Flynn also commends the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit for their assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paul J. Glascott, Chief of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

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