Teen Sentenced for Fatally Shooting Victim Inside Home in City's Delavan-Grider Neighborhood

Monday, September 9, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 19-year-old Thierry Bikorimana of Buffalo was sentenced on Friday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to 21 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On the evening of Sunday, December 10, 2023, the defendant shot the victim with an illegal gun while inside of a residence on the 300 block of Grider Street in the City of Buffalo. After committing the homicide, the defendant stole the victim's television, a BB gun and his vehicle. Buffalo Police officers later found the victim, 44-year-old Demarkus Hodge, deceased inside the basement of his home.

Bikorimanapleaded guilty 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) on July 24, 2024.

Acting DA Keane commends Lieutenant Jon Pietrzak, Detective Mark Costantino, Detective Joe Ruggiero, and Officer Daniel Dustin of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau.