Buffalo man sentenced for fatally shooting victim on Genesee Street in summer 2018

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 was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 25 years in prison followed by four years of post-release supervision.

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

Ziegler pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony) on Aug. 18, 2023.

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 is currently serving a sentence of five years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for the conviction.

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

The case was prosecuted by Chief Ryan D. Haggerty of the narcotics/intelligence bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the felony trials bureau.