Tonawanda Man Sentenced for Shooting Victim During Auto Repair Dispute

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Detrick D. Gray, 42, of Town of Tonawanda, was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek. He received a determinate sentence of 4 years in prison followed by 3 years of post-release supervision.

In November 2023, the female victim took her vehicle to the defendant's auto repair business on the 800 block of East Lovejoy Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant, who was known to the victim, agreed to perform the repairs at the cost of $1,500. After the victim paid the requested sum of cash and left her vehicle at the defendant's garage, he stopped communicating regarding the status of the repairs.

On Friday, December 21, 2023, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the female victim and her boyfriend went to the defendant's business to inquire about the vehicle. During a confrontation in the parking lot, the defendant displayed a handgun. The male victim charged toward the defendant in an attempt to redirect the weapon. The defendant attempted to cause serious physical injury to the victim by intentionally firing multiple shots from his lawfully-owned and registered pistol.

The male victim was hit by gunfire. He was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he underwent surgery for injuries to his chest and shoulder. The defendant subsequently suffered a gunshot injury to his hand during the altercation. The defendant was taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle.

In August 2025, Gray was found guilty of 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), one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D non-violent felony) and one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class A misdemeanor). Justice Wojtaszek rendered his decision after a five-day, non-jury trial.

DA Keane commends Detective Natasha Anderson and Officer Joshua Evans of the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit for their work in this investigation as well as victim advocate Tina Pilkey, Chief of the ECDA Victim/Witness Services Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney James W. Mansour, II, of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.