McCray claims innocence at sentencing

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The judge called him a thug and a murderer. Convicted City Grill gunman Riccardo McCray will now spend the rest of his life behind bars. The sentencing comes almost a year after that deadly summer night in downtown Buffalo.

Raymond Wilhite, said, "There will be no more birthday parties."

>> See a photo gallery from Thursday's sentencing here

Wilhite lost his daughter, Tiffany, in the shooting last August, but still has sleepless nights, and questions.

"What were her thoughts, what were her last words? Did she know she was dying? Did she feel any pain? Did she die alone with no one at her side, as she slipped away to the darkness of the earth?" wondered Wilhite.

  >>  See News 4's exclusive interview with Riccardo McCray

Ruby Martin said, "I am devastated every day of my life."

Martin lost her daughter, Shawntia McNeil.

"I'm happy that we have justice because he took her away from us, but I would never have closure because we could never bring her back. I can never have her presence; I can never hug her," said Martin.

26-year-old Willie McCaa left behind a behind a little daughter with a birthday coming up.

His aunt, Rita McCaa, said, "She's still full of questions. She's like, 'What would make a person kill my daddy?'"

It took only 17 seconds and 10 shots to kill four people and wound four others. 30-year-old DeMario Vass is still unresponsive at ECMC nine months later.

Vass's mother, Melinda McBride, said, "During your incarceration, I hope you find God and ask God for forgiveness."

Just before sentencing, Riccardo MCray had one statement.

"I want to say my heart goes out to the families of all the four victims, but I want to tell you once again, I am not the shooter and God knows I'm not the shooter, so that's all that matter to me," said McCray.

Erie County Judge Sheila DiTulio minced no words.

Judge DiTulio said, "You're a thug and you're a murderer and you're a person with no remorse and no conscience. Quite simply Riccardo McCray, you take a life and you get life."

McCray was sentenced to life without parole. McCray will be appealing his conviction, and his attorney says his client knows who the "real shooter" is, but isn't naming any names.