Teen Indicted on Murder Charge for Shooting Victim Inside Home in City's Delavan-Grider Neighborhood

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Thierry Bikorimana of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent) and three counts of Petit Larceny (Class "A" misdemeanors).

It is alleged that on the evening of Sunday, December 10, 2023, the defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal gun while inside of a residence on the 300 block of Grider Street in the City of Buffalo. After allegedly committing the homicide, the defendant is accused of stealing the victim's television, a BB gun and his vehicle. Buffalo Police officers later found the victim, 44-year-old Demarkus Hodge, deceased inside the basement of his home.

Bikorimana is scheduled to return on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.

If convicted of the charge, Bikorimanafaces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Flynn commends Detectives Mark Costantino, Jon Pietrzak and Joseph Ruggiero of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the homicide investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.