Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Clarence E. Thomas, 22, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felonies), three counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felonies), one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony). The defendant entered a guilty plea to all nine counts of the indictment ahead of his jury trial, which was scheduled to begin this week.
On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the defendant intentionally fired multiple shots into an occupied vehicle on the 100 block of Isabelle Street in the City of Buffalo. Five people were inside of the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Three of the victims, who were injured by gunfire, were taken by ambulance to ECMC. One victim, 20-year-old Treyvon Flood, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The second victim, 20-year-old DeMarkus Manners, died from the injuries four days later. The third victim, a 19-year-old male, was hospitalized for gunshot wounds to his upper back.
Thomas faces 32 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.
DA Keane commends Officer Chelsea Rogowski and Officer Steven Zappia of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.
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