The victim in a fatal stabbing outside of the Ellicott Complex Friday night has been identified as Tyler Lewis, a Buffalo State College student from Baldwin, NY. He was a 19-year-old sophomore majoring in pre-business administration.
Police say they have also identified a “person of interest” in the case based on eye-witness accounts. Witnesses described the individual to police as a 19- to 22-year-old white male with light brown hair who is between 5’5 and 5’9. The person of interest was also wearing a blood-stained “mustard-colored shirt” and had multiple cuts on his face, including a “large diagonal laceration” on his forehead. He left the area driving a black four-door sedan.
Police suspect that Lewis and his killer “most likely knew each other,” and that the stabbing stemmed from a “physical altercation between several individuals.”
“I understand news of last night’s incident is very upsetting, but I want to reassure our community that our campuses are extremely safe,” UB Police Chief Chris Bartolomei said in a statement to the UB community. “Our officers and investigators are working around the clock with local law enforcement partners to bring the individuals involved to justice.”
Several UB students and community members have come forward with information relevant to the investigation. UPD is urging anyone else with information to call them at 716-645-2222.
“The [Buffalo State College] Student Affairs team is connecting with Tyler’s roommates and supporting his family during this difficult time,” Buffalo State College President Katherine Conway-Turner said in an email statement to The Spectrum. “On behalf of the entire Buffalo State community, I express my heartfelt condolences to Tyler’s family and beloved friends. Our hearts ache for you during this difficult time.”
UB President Satish Tripathi issued a statement to the UB community Saturday afternoon in which he described the incident and said there was no “residual danger to campus.”
“Please join me in extending our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and friends, and to the entire Buffalo State community,” Tripathi said.
Students who have been affected by this incident can call UB Counseling Services at 716-645-2720 or Erie County Crisis Services’ 24-hour hotline at 716-834-3131. Crisis Services can also be contacted by texting “GOT5” to 741-741.
This is a developing story. Check back for further updates.
Grant Ashley is the managing editor and can be reached at grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com
Grant Ashley is the editor in chief of The Spectrum. He's also reported for NPR, WBFO, WIVB and The Buffalo News. He enjoys taking long bike rides, baking with his parents’ ingredients and recreating Bob Ross paintings in crayon. He can be found on the platform formerly known as Twitter at @Grantrashley.
