Jurors Find Tonawanda Man Guilty of Fatal Machete Attack

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a jury found Adalberto J. Bermudez, Jr., also known as "Chopa," 48, of Town of Tonawanda, guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class A-I felony). Jurors rendered their decision yesterday morning after approximately six hours of deliberation following a six-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count of the indictment.

On the morning of Sunday, September 23, 2023, Buffalo Police officers responded to Isabelle Street where they found the victim, 39-year-old Jose Barreto-Gonzalez, deceased inside of his second-floor apartment. Investigators determined that the defendant intentionally caused the death of the victim by repeatedly striking him with a machete.

Bermudez faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Keane commends Detective Scott Malec, Detective Mark White, Detective Carl Lundin (Retired) and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Justin T. Wallens and Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau with the assistance of Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III, of the Homicide Bureau.