In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Buffalo, New York, the life of 36-year-old Deval Watkins was tragically cut short. On April 19, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Watkins was fatally shot in a parking lot situated on the 400 block of William Street, near Jefferson Avenue. When emergency services arrived, they found Watkins at the scene, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting led police to 31-year-old Mikel L. Lowe, also of Buffalo.
It is alleged that Lowe intentionally shot Watkins with an illegal handgun. Following the investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, Lowe was arrested and subsequently indicted on serious charges.
On May 5, 2025, Mikel L. Lowe was arraigned before an Erie County Court Judge. He faces charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Following his arraignment, Lowe was held without bail. If he is convicted of the most serious charge, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the Homicide Bureau of the Erie County District Attorney's Office. As the legal process moves forward, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
