Defendant Pleads Guilty for His Role in Fatal Shooting in Buffalo's Willert Park Neighborhood

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Twandrell L. Dean, 25, of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in full satisfaction of the indictment.

On Saturday, July 22, 2023, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a reported shooting on Genesee Street near Mortimer Street. Three people were found shot outside of a tavern. Two victims, a 33-year-old male and 44-year-old male, were taken by ambulance to ECMC where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. The third victim, 31-year-old Devin Lockwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dean pleaded guilty to his role in the homicide for intentionally firing shots from an illegal weapon, which resulted in the death of the victim. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Dean remains held without bail.

The case against a co-defendant, Ernest W. Brown, 41, of Buffalo, remains pending. Brown was indicted on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony) for his alleged role in the crime. Brown, who remains held without bail, is scheduled to return on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. for a pre-trial hearing. Jury selection in his trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 3, 2025.

Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. King of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.

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