In the late afternoon of a Wednesday in Buffalo, New York, the life of 36-year-old Kevin Hogue came to a violent end. On October 8, 2014, Hogue was found shot to death inside his clothing and accessories store, Diva Style Shoes and Accessories, on Hertel Avenue. The discovery, made around 4:50 p.m., marked the beginning of a homicide investigation into the death of the Cheektowaga man.
Authorities believed from the outset that the shooting was not a random act of violence, stating that it appeared Hogue was the specific target. The scene within the shop was one of disarray, with shattered glass and papers strewn about, hinting at a struggle or a frantic search.
Kevin Hogue was no stranger to the criminal justice system. At the time of his death, he was out on bail while facing federal charges for his alleged participation in a cocaine ring that operated between Buffalo and Atlanta. His past was marred by violence; he had been shot on two separate occasions in 1998 and 2009. Furthermore, Hogue had a conviction for attempted murder stemming from a shooting in 1999, for which he had served a five-year prison sentence.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Buffalo Police homicide detectives launched an investigation, appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible for Hogue's death. Despite the initial belief that he was targeted, online sources and news reports in the years following the incident do not contain information about any arrests being made or suspects being identified in connection with the murder of Kevin Hogue. The case, as it appears in the public record, remains unresolved, leaving the question of who was responsible for the death of the 36-year-old business owner unanswered.
