Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces the arraignment of 19 year old Diamond Lewis of Keystone St. in Buffalo on a 19 count indictment, charging him with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, and several other assault and attempted murder charges.

The defendant is alleged to have shot 8 different people at four different locations in the City of Buffalo between October of 2014 and January of this year.  Among the dead are two young men, and among the injured were a 13 year old girl and an 18 year old girl, both innocent bystanders. One of the surviving victims is permanently paralyzed.

Summary of shootings:

The first homicide took place on October 14, 2014.  The victim, 22 year old David Skipper, Jr. of Buffalo was shot on Erb Street.

The second homicide occurred on June 6, 2015 on Warren St. in Buffalo.  The victim was 18 year old Alonzo Scott of Buffalo.  According to the indictment, in this shooting, five people were shot.  Scott died, a man was paralyzed and three others were injured.

On August 13, 2015, according to the indictment, Lewis fired several shots from a vehicle at the corner of Playter and Kent in Buffalo, targeting a man, but striking the 18 year old female bystander.

On January 25, 2016, according to the indictment, Lewis fired several shots at a group of individuals in front of a store on Fillmore Avenue (near French) in Buffalo and struck the 13 year old female bystander.

Lewis was arrested January 26, 2016 at ECMC when he sought treatment for a superficial gunshot wound.

Lewis is currently remanded without bail, and he faces 25 years to life on each murder count and 200 years in prison on the remaining charges.

Acting DA Flaherty is encouraging anyone with information on any other crimes that may be linked to Diamond Lewis to come forward.  Any tips should be directed to the Buffalo Police Confidential TIPCALL line at 847-2255.

Mayor Byron Brown stated, “I thank acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty, Jr. and the Buffalo Police Department for securing the arrest of 19 year old Diamond Lewis after a diligent investigation and my hope is that this is the first step in bringing healing to all of the families who suffered as a result of this individual.  As I’ve said in the past, when it comes to the crime of homicide - when it comes to shootings - we do not stop.  We will find you and we will put you behind bars.”

Flaherty commends the investigative work of the Buffalo Police Department including Detectives Scott Malec, Mark White and Christopher Sterlace of the Homicide Unit.  “We ask the public to continue to help the investigators by giving any information which will help bring to justice those who take the lives of our neighbors, says acting DA Flaherty. “Please call the TIPCALL line.”

Assistant District Attorneys John P. Feroleto and Michael P. Felicetta are prosecuting the case.

Mr. Lewis, like all others accused of a crime, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.