3 defendants plead guilty in assault on Broadway

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced 53-year-old Demetrius F. Gore of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of assault in the second degree (class “D” felony) for his involvement in an attack that resulted in serious physical injuries to the victim.

His two nephews pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment against them. Earlier this month, Amonti K. Atkins, 24, of Buffalo pleaded guilty one count of attempted murder in the second degree, one count of assault in the first degree and one count of gang assault in the first degree (class “B” violent felonies). His brother, Amari K. Atkins, 28, of Buffalo, also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in the second degree, one count of assault in the first degree and one count of gang assault in the first degree before Judge Eagan on April 24, 2024.

On Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, at approximately 10:15 a.m., Amonti Atkins, Amari Atkins and their uncle, Demetrius Gore, assaulted the victim on the 1500 block of Broadway near Deshler Street in the City of Buffalo. The assault occurred following a dispute outside of a nearby bottle redemption center. The brothers repeatedly punched and kicked the victim as he laid on the ground after being stabbed in the face by Amonti Atkins. Demetrius Gore, who was wearing sneakers, kicked the victim in the back and stomped on his face twice. Amonti Atkins and Amari Atkins continued to punch and kick the victim after he was rendered unconscious before leaving the scene.

The victim, a 41-year-old male, was taken by ambulance to ECMC with serious physical injuries. He continues to recover from the injuries in a long-term care facility.

All three defendants, who remain held without bail, are scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, July 17. Atkins and Atkins face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Gore faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

Keane commends Det. Carrie Sitarski, Det. Erin Heidenger and officer Brian Nagy of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R. D. Kalman of the narcotics/intelligence bureau and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the felony trials bureau.