Police arrested the wrong person in Buffalo, NY shootings case outside City Grill restaurant

August 15th 2010

Latest update: In a bizarre twist, police released Keith Johnson, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was previously accused and charged with 4 counts of murders. Keith Johnson, a parolee, who was recently released from prison just two and a half weeks ago was arrested on Saturday in connection with multiple murders. However, before the end of the day, law enforcement officials, Chief of Police and District Attorney Frank A. Sedita acknowledged, that they got the wrong person.

Frank Sedita is scheduled to file paperwork to dismiss charges against Keith Johnson. 3 people died outside the restaurant, City Grill, while the 4th person was pronounced dead at a local emergency hospital. One of the victims was a man from Texas visiting New York with his wife to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are cooperating with local authorities to track down other leads they have for suspects. The decision to release Keith Johnson and drop all the charges against him came after reviewing video and photos from the scene. Eye witnesses and one of the victims also acknowledge that Keith Johnson was not the gunman. 

James Robbs, one of the victims, confirmed that there was only one gunman responsible for this massacre. Shaneesha White, sister of Shawn-Tia McNeil, who died during the gunfire also confirmed that Keith was not the gunman. 

Frank Sedita released a statement saying "What basically has happened is in the last eight hours… we got additional video evidence. Investigators called me and said, Frank, you better come down here. We're having serious second thoughts."

At this time no other arrests have been made. 

Following people were killed:

• Danyel Mackin, 30; a former Buffalo resident who was visiting from Texas with his wife to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.
• Tiffany Wilhite, 32;
• Shawn-Tia McNeil, 27; Tiffany Wilhite's cousin
• Willie McCaa, 26;

Wounded:

• Demario Vass, 30; in critical condition with a gunshot would to his head
• James Robbs Jr., 27;
• Shamar Davis, 30;
• Tillman Ward, 27;

City Grill restaurant in Buffalo, NY posted a message on their website:

"We at City Grill are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred on August 14th. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."

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Tags:  4 dead, 8 shot, buffalo, buffalo restaurant, killings, shooting, shooting in buffalo ny

By Laura Simmons