Man from City of Tonawanda could be sentenced to 205 years to life imprisonment.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, a verdict has been reached in the case of Matthew R. Gerwitz, a 31-year-old resident of the City of Tonawanda. The jury has found Gerwitz guilty of the charges brought against him.
According to the district attorney’s office, Joseph Marasco, a 32-year-old man, was shot intentionally in the torso by Gerwitz on May 26, 2020, while standing on the corner of Morgan Street and Clinton Street in the City of Tonawanda. The gun used by Gerwitz was illegal, and there was no known connection between him and Marasco. Marasco was taken to ECMC via ambulance, but unfortunately, he died. After the shooting, Gerwitz fled the scene and returned to his Morgan Street apartment about two hours later while the City of Tonawanda Police was investigating the crime scene. Inside his apartment, Gerwitz fired multiple shots from an illegal rifle at four police officers who were outside. One detective wearing a bulletproof vest was shot numerous times and taken to ECMC, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The other three officers were unharmed.
City of Tonawanda man indicted for the murder of a civilian and attempted murder of police officers. To read more about the incident, click on the link provided.
As per the statement released by the district attorney’s office, Gerwitz attempted to escape in a vehicle and engaged in a shootout with two police officers who were pursuing him. Eventually, the police managed to stop his vehicle by ramming it with patrol cars near Morgan and Kohler Streets. Unfortunately, a lieutenant sustained a sprained wrist and a back injury due to the collision.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers discovered three more illegal handguns inside Gerwitz’s residence.
The ruling for Gerwitz’s case is set to be delivered on November 14. If the sentences are served consecutively, he could face a penalty of up to 205 years to life imprisonment. He is currently being held in custody without bail.
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