Laron G. Watkins, a 21-year-old male, lost his life to gun violence on the evening of August 4, 2016, in Buffalo, New York. He had just left his family's home and was heading to a party at Sperry Park, only a block away. Just five to seven minutes after his departure, gunshots echoed through the neighborhood. His father, Larry G. Watkins Jr., heard the shots and went to see what had happened, discovering his son lying on the curb.
Paramedics were called to the scene on Sherman Street, but despite their efforts for twenty minutes, Laron was pronounced dead. He was one of three men shot in the incident that night. In the immediate aftermath, his family was left grappling with the sudden and violent loss, with no arrests made for over two months.
In their search for answers and justice, Laron's family took heartfelt measures to keep his memory alive and encourage witnesses to come forward. On what would have been his 22nd birthday, his father organized a unique and poignant event. Family and friends gathered at the park where he was killed and released 1,100 balloons into the sky. Attached to each balloon was a flyer bearing Laron's picture, information about the homicide, and the Buffalo police tip line number. The hope was that as the balloons descended across the city, they might land in the hands of someone with information who would be moved to speak with the authorities. This creative plea for help underscored the family's desperation and determination to find the person or persons responsible for his death.
Seven months after the shooting, in March 2017, a breakthrough came in the case. The Buffalo Police Department arrested 18-year-old Jaylin Wiggins, charging him with murder for the death of Laron Watkins and attempted murder for injuring the other two individuals in the same shooting. The arrest brought a sense of relief to the Watkins family, though they believed others may have also been involved. Police described Wiggins as a violent member of the community who was being investigated for other incidents as well.
In April 2018, Jaylin Wiggins, then 19, stood trial for the shootings. The prosecution faced a challenge when a key witness, Dorian Johnson, Jr., refused to testify despite a court order, leading to criminal contempt charges against him. Nevertheless, the case against Wiggins proceeded, and a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. A few months later, Wiggins was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 50 years to life in prison, ensuring that the man responsible for the death of Laron Watkins would face a long period of incarceration for his actions on that tragic August night.
