Defendant Pleads Guilty for Fatally Shooting Victim During Attempted Burglary in City's Kensington Neighborhood

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Levon Dickson, 50, of Buffalo pleaded guilty this afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony).

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported shooting on the 300 block of Warwick Avenue. Officers found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound on the porch of a residence. The victim, 60-year-old Mitchell Reese, died at the scene. The investigation determined that the defendant was attempting to commit a residential burglary when he shot the victim with an illegal gun.

Dickson faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

Acting DA Keane commends Detective Jennifer Zanghi, Detective Christopher Sterlace, Detective Joseph Ruggierio and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau and Chief Noha A. Elnakib of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.