Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Gay Gai of Buffalo has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 364 days in jail.

On September 28, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the defendant attacked the adult male victim on the 200 block of Grant Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant intentionally caused damage to the victim’s property by hitting his vehicle with a machete.

The victim, who was known to the defendant, was able to escape the attack in his vehicle. While driving to the police station, the victim flagged down a member of the Buffalo Fire Department who reported the incident to police. The defendant was arrested a short time later.  

A jury found Gia guilty of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). The jury rendered their decision after nearly four hours of deliberation on November 1, 2021. The defendant was acquitted of the assault charges.

Judge Maxwell Barnes issued an order of protection on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until December 7, 2026.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren M. Creighton of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano of the Narcotics Bureau.