On a somber Halloween night in Buffalo, New York, the life of 22-year-old Patrick Kent was tragically cut short. On October 31, 2020, in the vicinity of Bickford and Alice Avenues, Kent was fatally shot. The incident occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m., and despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led to the swift apprehension of a suspect, 23-year-old Odell Malik Wilkins, also known by the alias 'Leek.'
Wilkins, a resident of Buffalo, was subsequently charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities alleged that Wilkins intentionally shot Kent, leading to his untimely death. It was revealed during legal proceedings that Wilkins had a prior history of criminal behavior.
In October 2022, Odell Malik Wilkins pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the first degree. This plea resulted in a sentence of 20 years in prison, which will be followed by five years of post-release supervision. The resolution of the court case brought a measure of closure to the friends and family of Patrick Kent, though the community continues to mourn the loss of a young life.
