BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A 36-year-old Cheektowaga man was shot and killed on Sprenger Avenue near Schiller Park on Wednesday night, marking the third homicide in Buffalo this week.
Officers responded to Sprenger Avenue just before 8:30 p.m. after reports of a man lying in the street and bleeding from the head.
The 36-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
WATCH: 36-year-old man shot and killed on Sprenger Avenue in Buffalo
Buffalo Police Department Acting Commissioner Craig Macy said the incident started on a basketball court.
"Initial reports are that there was a dispute on the basketball court, which turned into a fight, and then it was escalated to a shooting call," Macy said.
This fatal shooting comes after two others on Sunday and Monday. Macy said the three homicides are not related.
"Every indication is that none of these are connected. They're all isolated incidents on back-to-back days, essentially," Macy said.
No arrest has been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the confidential tipline at (716) 847-2255.
City of Buffalo Councilmember Bryan Bollman, who represents the Lovejoy District, expressed concern about the violence that occurs as the weather warms up.
"The kids could be out in the park playing, and it was one of the first few warm days," Bollman said. "And here we have this violent incident happening over at Schiller Park."
Bollman has requested additional police patrols in the area. He said that over $1 million in federal dollars was invested in Schiller Park last year, with many of the improvements focused on safety.
"We were able to make improvements to the park, and a lot of those improvements have been with safety in mind," Bollman said. "So, I don't want to go backwards here."
Bollman added that police cameras installed in the park could aid the ongoing investigation.
"We've made investments," Bollman said. "We actually have Buffalo Police cameras in the park too, so I'm hopeful that those will be useful in this investigation."
