(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, NY – A Buffalo man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of two victims outside a home on East Utica Street, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced.
James B. White, Jr., 23, was sentenced Wednesday morning by Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges, including first-degree and second-degree murder.
The shooting occurred on January 2, 2024, at approximately 8:50 a.m. White used an illegal firearm to shoot two victims on the front porch of a residence. David Honer, 29, died at the scene, while John DeShon Gibson, 24, was transported to Erie County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
White pleaded guilty in January 2025 to all counts in his indictment as jury selection was set to begin. His charges included one count of Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Gang Assault in the Second Degree.
The investigation revealed that the shooting happened during a physical altercation involving multiple individuals. White and his co-defendants arrived together and fled after the gunfire.
Three co-defendants pleaded guilty for their roles in the attack:
- Jaylin T. Scott, 21, pleaded guilty to Gang Assault in the Second Degree and was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison with five years of post-release supervision.
- Teffany Y. Nance, 43, mother of Scott, pleaded guilty to Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree and received five years of probation.
- LaShawn C. Taylor, 25, pleaded guilty to Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree and was sentenced to one year in jail.
Buffalo Police Detectives Joseph Ruggiero and Mark Constantino led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ryan M. Flaherty, Thomas J. Comfort, and Christopher S. Safulko.
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