Gunman Sentenced for Killing One Victim, Injuring Two In Shooting Inside Downtown Nightclub

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Sharief R. McBroom, 21, of Buffalo was sentenced this afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens to 22 years to life in prison.

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant intentionally fired multiple shots at the victim inside of a nightclub on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 21-year-old Jorge Garcia Leon, died at the scene. Two other people were injured by gunfire. The surviving victims, a 49-year-old male and a 59-year-old male, were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

In July 2024, McBroom pleaded to one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony), two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class "B" violent felonies) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty, as charged, to all counts in the indictment.

"This was a completely senseless, violent crime. This defendant snuck an illegal gun into a nightclub then intentionally fired multiple shots at the victims after a minor altercation. There was no reduced plea offered in this case. I hope that the family of Jorge Garcia Leon and the two survivors feel that justice has been served by this defendant pleading guilty to all counts and being sentenced to a significant term of incarceration," said Acting District Attorney Mike Keane.

Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department and US Marshals Office for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau.