Buffalo man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2018 fatal shooting on Genesee Street

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 33-year-old Bryant Ziegler Jr. of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony).

On June 3, 2018, at approximately 3 a.m., the defendant, with the intent to cause serious physical injuries, shot the victim with an illegal gun on Genesee Street near High Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 36-year-old Paris Warren Jr., died at the scene.

Ziegler faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. He continues to be held without bail.

His co-defendant, 26-year-old Sidney Watson of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in the second degree (class “B” violent felony) for his role in the crime. Watson faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 27. He remains held without bail.

DA Flynn commends retired Det. Timothy Rooney and the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the homicide bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the felony trials bureau.