Buffalo man admits to fatal shooting in Niagara Falls

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter Thursday afternoon in connection with a 2023 fatal shooting, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Officials said Dennis D. Parson, 20, shot and killed Jaylan McWilson, 24, in front of McWilson’s Niagara Falls home on January 21. The motive appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, according to officials.

“There was absolutely no reason for this incident to have ended in the loss of Jaylan’s life,” said Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman in a release. “His family is devastated. The defendant is a young man who will now spend the next 20 or more years in prison. For what? A completely senseless loss of life.”

Parson faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 15.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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