Gunman pleads guilty for killing 1, injuring 2 in shooting inside downtown nightclub

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced 21-year-old Sharief McBroom of Buffalo pleaded guilty this afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens 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.

On Sunday, Feb. 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 ECMC.

McBroom faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, Sept. 9. He remains held without bail.

“This is a completely senseless, violent crime,” Keane said. “This defendant snuck an illegal gun into a nightclub then intentionally fired multiple shots at the victims after a minor altercation. I am taking a hard stance on gun violence, so no reduced plea was 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 in the indictment.”

Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department and U.S. Marshals Office for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney John P. Feroleto and Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the homicide bureau.