A 16-year-old Buffalo boy could spend up to 32 years in state prison following several violent incidents, including a revenge-motivated shooting in the spring of 2015.
Drequan Vernon pleaded guilty Tuesday to shooting Rasheen Wilson on April 21, 2015.
According to Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty, Vernon shot Wilson out of revenge for a dispute he had with Wilson’s brother.
On April 21, Wilson was returning home from his brother’s house when Vernon saw him walking down the street. Wilson turned to run away when Vernon shot him with a .32 caliber revolver.
Wilson underwent emergency surgery, which saved his life.
Vernon pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Russell Buscaglia to first degree assault. Because he was 15-years-old at the time of the crime, he faces a potential maximum sentence of between three and 10 years in state prison for this crime.
In addition, Vernon pleaded guilty to attempted burglary for his role in a break-in in Cheektowaga, as well as criminal possession of a weapon after being caught with a .32 caliber revolver in September 2015. It is not clear whether this is the same weapon he used to shoot Wilson earlier that year.
He faces up to 22 years for those two crimes.
“Despite his young age, Drequan Vernon is an extremely violent person. The citizens of the Langfield Homes are safer with him off the streets,” said Acting District Attorney Michael Flaherty.
Vernon is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11 at 2:00 p.m. before Justice Buscaglia.
