Dae’Von M. Roberts : Buffalo Police ID Man Killed in Officer Shooting: Tragic Incident Unfolds

Fresh details have emerged from the Buffalo Police Department regarding the tragic shooting of a man by an officer in the early hours of Wednesday.

The victim, identified as Dae’Von M. Roberts, was driving a car that was pulled over for a routine traffic stop just after midnight near the intersection of Kensington and Poultney avenues. Authorities stated that Roberts was stopped for speeding and for having windows tinted too dark.

The interaction during the traffic stop was described as non-confrontational and “courteous,” with Roberts and the officer engaging in a brief conversation. When asked for his license, Roberts did not possess one but provided a picture to the officer. Additionally, the officer noticed a child in the passenger seat who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time.

Upon returning to the patrol vehicle to check Roberts’ information, the officer could not find a valid license linked to Roberts. Subsequently, Roberts was asked to exit the vehicle, but instead, he abruptly put the car into drive and accelerated away, reaching speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour. Shockingly, one officer was still holding onto the car as Roberts made his escape.

Authorities reported that Roberts attempted to forcibly remove the officer from the vehicle, leading to the officer firing multiple shots into the car. As the car decelerated, Roberts fell out, prompting an officer to rush to the vehicle to check on the child in the passenger seat.

Another officer, who was trailing the initial officer in a second patrol car, assessed Roberts’ condition. Roberts was swiftly transported to a hospital for medical treatment but tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Following the incident, a search warrant was granted for the vehicle. During the search, officers uncovered a firearm under the driver’s seat containing seven bullets.

Moreover, Buffalo Police disclosed that Roberts is the half-brother of Jaylen Griffin, a young boy who went missing in 2020 and was found deceased in April.

The investigation into the shooting is currently being conducted by Buffalo homicide detectives and the Internal Affairs Division of the police department, in accordance with standard procedure. Additionally, the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations has been informed of the incident, consistent with protocol for all officer-involved shootings.

This marks the second fatal shooting by Buffalo police in 2024. In a separate incident earlier in the year, officers responded to a residence on Reed Street after a man potentially called emergency services on himself.

The individual in that case, later identified as Edward Holmes, 58, reportedly brandished a shotgun upon police arrival and disregarded commands to disarm. Holmes purportedly discharged one round from his weapon before officers returned fire, resulting in multiple gunshot wounds. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as the gunshot injuries sustained during the altercation.

As investigations continue into both incidents, the community awaits further updates on these unfortunate events.