On the morning of August 23, 2014, in Buffalo, New York, 30-year-old Deverin White was fatally shot in a violent encounter. White, along with 31-year-old Benjamin Gerald, were passengers in a vehicle near May and Doat Streets when another man opened fire on them. The barrage of bullets caused the vehicle to crash and flip over. White died at the scene of the incident, while Gerald passed away shortly after from his injuries during surgery.
The investigation quickly identified Christopher
Perkins, a 24-year-old from Cheektowaga, as the primary suspect in the double homicide. After the shooting, Perkins fled the Buffalo area and was later apprehended in Oklahoma by the U.S. Marshals Violent Felony Task Force. His capture was the result of a coordinated effort by several law enforcement agencies, including the Buffalo Homicide Squad and the Buffalo Police Crime Scene Unit.
Perkins, who also went by the nickname 'Gotti,' was charged with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. During his non-jury trial in March 2016, Perkins maintained his innocence, claiming he acted in self-defense after a previous altercation with a different man and never intended to shoot the victims.
Despite his claims, the court found him guilty of all charges. On April 27, 2016, Christopher Perkins was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murders of Deverin White and Benjamin Gerald. His attorney stated their intention to appeal the verdict.
