BUFFALO – A Buffalo man who shot a homeless man he thought was breaking into cars has been found guilty of assault and criminal possession of a weapon. 37-year-old Damien A. Morris was found guilty after a one-hour deliberation following a two-and-a-half-day trial.
According to police at approximately 5:15 a.m. on February 13, Morris left his apartment to confront the homeless man in the parking lot.
“According to the defendant, the victim was suspected of breaking into vehicles. Morris shot the man once with his legally owned handgun during the encounter,” police said. “ECMC treated the victim, a 49-year-old homeless man who was shot in the leg. After being hospitalized for two weeks, the victim underwent surgery to repair a fractured femur.”
During the trial, evidence was presented showing that the homeless man was not armed.
n Morris faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. He remains free on bail that was previously posted.