BUFFALO, NY – Jason L. Washington, a 20-year-old from buffalo has been found guilty of one count of manslaughter in the death of 36-year-old youth football coach Norzell “Norse” Aldridge.
“A jury has found 20-year-old Jason L. Washington, Jr. of Buffalo guilty of one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony). He was acquitted of the other charges in the indictment against him. The jury rendered their decision this afternoon after four hours of deliberation following a 3 ½ day trial,” said Erie County D.A. John Flynn.
According to a report by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, on August 31, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the defendant was involved in a fight with other individuals at Emerson Park near Sycamore Street and Koons Avenue in the City of Buffalo.
“The incident occurred as little league football game was ending at the park,” D.A. Flynn said. “The defendant attempted to fire a shot from an illegal weapon at the male victim’s head, but the gun did not fire. When a football coach attempted to break up the altercation and hit the defendant in the head with a football helmet, the defendant fired multiple shots at him.”
The coach, 36-year-old Norzell “Nore” Aldridge of Cheektowaga, was hit in the side of his torso by gunfire and died at the hospital. The other victim, a 20-year-old male, was injured in the shooting. He was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated and released for a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
Washington faces a maximum of 32 years in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. He continues to remain held without bail.
In 2020, Koons Avenue was renamed in honor of Aldridge.