Buffalo Man Indicted for Stabbing Police Officer and Robbing Rideshare Driver

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Derrick M. Harris, 35, of Buffalo, was arraigned this afternoon at Erie County Medical Center before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Robbery in the First Degree (Class B violent felony)
• One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class C violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class E felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree (Class A misdemeanor)

It is alleged that on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Buffalo Police officers on routine patrol were driving on Deshler Street when they were stopped by a pedestrian near Broadway. The pedestrian allegedly informed the officers that a wanted individual was walking nearby.

Buffalo Police officers located the defendant, who was allegedly armed with deadly weapons, a razor and a pair of scissors, on Broadway and Liddell Street. As police approached, the defendant allegedly refused multiple commands by police to drop the weapons. The defendant is accused of stabbing one of the officers with the razor. The other officer deployed his Taser, which caused the defendant to fall to the ground. The defendant allegedly refused to drop the weapons and stabbed himself in the neck with the scissors.

The defendant allegedly continued to refuse the officers' orders to drop the weapon and continued to injure his neck after he stood up and walked across Broadway. The defendant was shot when he allegedly attempted to grab the injured officer's arm that held his drawn gun. After the defendant was shot, the injured officer was able to disarm the defendant.

Responding officers immediately performed life-saving measures until the defendant was transported by ambulance to ECMC. He remains hospitalized to receive treatment for gunshot wounds to his lower body as well as self-inflicted injuries to his chest and neck. The injured officer was taken in a patrol vehicle to ECMC where was treated for a stab wound to his back.

During the investigation, police allegedly recovered a razor, scissors and several stolen credit cards from the scene, which were placed into evidence.

It is further alleged that earlier on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant robbed a rideshare driver, while armed with a knife, in the Broadway area of the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of stealing the victim's wallet, bracelet and cellphone.

"My office conducted a thorough review of this officer-involved shooting. We have determined that the actions of the police officers were justified. The member of the Buffalo Police Department who fired the shots that resulted in injuries to the defendant has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing," said Erie County DA Mike Keane.

Harris was held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted of the highest count, Harris faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan of the Major Crimes Bureau.

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