Tyler Lewis

family. Crime Stoppers WNY, a not-forprofit organization that assists law enforcement organizations, is also offering an up to $7,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment for Tyler Lewis’ murder, which UPD reposted on their Instagram account. Roquishia Lewis also told The Spectrum that she hired a private investigator to look into the case.

Two days later, Erie County DA John Flynn released a statement in which he said his office’s investigation was “nearly complete.”

“While it is my policy to not comment during an active investigation, I want to assure the Lewis family, University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University communities, and the public that this case remains a top priority,” Flynn said. “I understand the difficulties of waiting for answers and recognize the importance of transparency in this case. We have been in communication consistently with Tyler’s family to provide updates without compromising this ongoing investigation.”

In the hours after Lewis’ death, investigators told the public that the incident “likely stemmed from a physical altercation between several individuals who most likely knew each other” and that they were searching for a black sedan and four individuals, one of whom was described as

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 a 19- to 22-year-old white male wearing a blood-stained, yellow shirt with a “large diagonal laceration” on his forehead.

Roquishia Lewis told The Spectrum that the black sedan referenced by authorities is a BMW, which Della Contrada confirmed. Authorities have released no other information.

“I wish I could believe that they were treating this case as if it was their own child,” Roquishia Lewis said in a statement to The Spectrum. “With all honesty, my belief in Buffalo’s justice system is quite shaken… But I do look forward to meeting with John Flynn in person and for my son’s murderer to be arrested, for the sake of justice, for Tyler X. Lewis and the sake of the safety of the UB students and the Buffalo community at large.”

Roquishia Lewis told The Spectrum in mid January that prosecutors had received lab results and identified “everyone that was involved,” making her even more frustrated with the lack of arrests.

“Everyone [of those involved in the incident] lawyered up, and they [prosecutors] claim they can’t talk to them because they have lawyers, which is nonsense,” she said.

“District Attorney John Flynn and ADA [Assistant District Attorney] Gary Hackbush know exactly who this white assailant is. They know exactly who it is. They said

“If it were reversed, this would not have happened,” Roquishia Lewis said in a phone interview with The Spectrum. “I would not be waiting three months. And I hate to say it, I mean, nobody wants to think in 2023 we’re dealing with, you know, playing the race card, but it’s plain as day.”

In the news and the courtroom, Longmire, a Black man, was repeatedly characterized as “aggressive,” “violent” and a college dropout. (Longmire was banned from all campuses by the university, according to In the Public Interest.) Prior to the crime, his reputation was said to be positive in the community.

Longmire was indicted on counts of second-degree murder, assault and two counts of criminal possession in the fourth degree, according to The Spectrum’s archives. The charges came in December, 1984, about a month and a half after Allen’s death.

According to the United States Sentencing Commision, Black men have historically received longer sentences than “similarly situated white offenders.”

Longmire’s trial with an all-white jury reportedly lasted only three and a half weeks. He was acquitted on the charges of attempted murder and second-degree it from the beginning. And they already have his DNA. There’s no reason for him not to have been arrested already. ”

Kait Munro, a spokesperson for the Erie County District Attorney’s office, declined to comment further, citing the “active, ongoing investigation.”

Roquishia Lewis also told The Spectrum that investigators believe her son’s death is linked to a fight involving at least one alleged assailant that took place earlier that evening. She also says a university incident report states that the suspect received medical treatment at the scene.

“I got a witness that came forward on my end and said that he [the suspect] was there,” Roquishia Lewis said. “He got beat up. And then he came back with a knife.”

UPD’s incident report log contains a report of an assault at Flickinger Court from roughly an hour before a first aid report that matches the timing, location and facts of Tyler Lewis’ death. But Della Contrada said that incident stemmed from an unrelated dispute between roommates that occurred days earlier and was simply reported the day Tyler Lewis died. He also disputes Roquishia Lewis’ assertion that her son’s death was related to an earlier fight.

The Spectrum attempted to obtain copies of the police reports for both incidents, but the request was denied on the grounds that disclosing the reports would “interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings.” murder on the grounds of self defense.

According to his defense counsel, jurors credited the expert testimony of UB law professor and psychologist Charles P. Ewing for their decision. Ewing described the complex nature of interracial conflict between Black and white men as well as the natural psychological response of fear that occurs in the body when in danger.

Campus law enforcement has recently described their investigation into the death of Tyler Lewis as in its “final stages ,” in a Jan. 30 statement. CrimeStoppers WNY, a not-for-profit organization that assists law enforcement organizations, has offered a reward of up to $7,500 for information in the death of Tyler Lewis.

University Police are urging anyone with information to call them at (716) 645-2222.

The Lewis family’s tipline can be reached at (716) 226-6336.

Crime Stoppers WNY can be reached at (716) 867-6161.

Darcy Winter contributed reporting to this story.

Email: morgan.ross@ubspectrum.com

Roquishia Lewis also added that she “knows” that Tyler Lewis wasn’t at that first fight because she was tracking his cell phone that evening, as she usually did. He wasn’t on North Campus until about 20 minutes after the altercation, she said, adding that she has turned over that cell phone location data to investigators.

She also called UPD’s ability to solve a murder into question, adding that her confidence in them was “shaky.” University officials have previously stated that it has been at least 30 years since “anything similar” has happened on campus.

Della Contrada disputed that characterization, maintaining that UPD’s “highlytrained team” has competently handled the Tyler Lewis investigation, especially with assistance and resources from the FBI, New York State Police, Amherst Police and Erie County Central Police Services.

“UB Police possess a depth of experience in all aspects of law enforcement and are well prepared to maintain safety on our campuses,” Della Contrada said.

University Police are urging anyone with information to call them at (716) 645-2222.

The Lewis family’s tipline can be reached at (716) 226-6336.

Crime Stoppers WNY can be reached at (716) 867-6161.

Email: grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com