On an autumn evening in Buffalo, New York, the life of 16-year-old Kristian Piazza was tragically cut short. On October 13, 2016, at approximately 8 p.m., Piazza was shot and killed in a double shooting that occurred at the intersection of Leroy Avenue and Hill Street. Another teenager, 16-year-old Terrell Lockett, was also shot and injured in the incident.
Piazza, a junior at Burgard Vocational High School where he was studying to become a welder, was also a dedicated employee at a local Wegmans. He was known as someone who could bring a smile to anyone's face.
The investigation into the shooting led Buffalo Police to a suspect who was also a teenager. In April 2017, authorities announced the arrest of a 16-year-old in connection with the double shooting. The suspect was later identified as Lawren Goins of Buffalo. He was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. At the time of the shooting, Goins was also 16 years old.
In November 2017, then 17-year-old Lawren Goins pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree before a State Supreme Court Justice. In January 2018, Goins was sentenced for his role in the death of Kristian Piazza and the wounding of Terrell Lockett. The 17-year-old was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
