Buffalo Man Receives Maximum Sentence for Stabbing Two Family Members

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 27-year-old Davante Thompson of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 40 years in prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. He was sentenced today as a second violent felony offender.

During the night of August 26, 2021, the defendant attempted to cause the death of a family member by intentionally stabbing the victim with a knife while inside of their shared home on the 300 block of Humboldt Parkway in the City of Buffalo. The victim suffered more than a dozen stab wounds to her face and body before she was able to flee to the bedroom of another family member.

The defendant then attempted to cause serious physical injuries to a second family member by stabbing her once in the neck and once in the body before a third uninjured family member was able to intervene in the attack. The defendant was arrested nearby a short time later by responding Buffalo Police officers.

Both victims were taken by ambulance to ECMC where they received treatment for physical injuries. One victim suffered multiple severe lacerations, which required stitches and resulted in a loss of her range of motion and nerve damage.

In February 2024, a jury found Thompson guilty of one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felonies), one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class "C" violent felony), one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class "D" felonies). Jurors rendered their decision after approximately 2 ½ hours of deliberation following a nearly three-day trial, convicting the defendant of the highest count in the indictment against him.

As part of the sentencing proceeding, Justice Haendiges issued final orders of protection on behalf of the victims, which remain in effect until August 2068.

Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation as well as Victim Advocate Clarissa Acosta.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.