On a cold winter morning in Buffalo, New York, the life of 37-year-old Jermaine Underwood was tragically cut short. On January 5, 2023, at approximately 10:39 a.m., gunfire erupted on the 900 block of Kensington Avenue, near Olympic Avenue. When the violence ceased, Underwood lay dead at the scene, the victim of a fatal shooting. Another man, a 31-year-old, was also struck by the gunfire, sustaining injuries to his legs. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center for treatment and was subsequently released.
The investigation into the shooting led police to identify a suspect, Jerry L. Simpson, a 30-year-old resident of Buffalo. Simpson was apprehended and charged in connection with the incident. The case moved through the legal system, culminating in a significant development in May 2024. On May 16, 2024, Jerry L. Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, for his role in the death of Jermaine Underwood.
Following his guilty plea, Simpson faced sentencing for his crime. On July 23, 2024, a State Supreme Court Justice handed down a sentence of 23 years in prison. In addition to the prison term, Simpson will also be subject to 5 years of post-release supervision. The resolution of the case brought a measure of closure to the tragic and untimely death of Jermaine Underwood.
