Four dead in downtown shooting rampage

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo police have made an arrest in what is one of the city's worst acts of violence in recent memory.

There are four dead and four who were wounded.

One of the wounded is clinging to life.

The city is vowing to bring the killer to justice.

It was a horror scene outside the City Grill in the early morning hours.

Three people lay dead on the ground, one died at the hospital. Two men, two women had been shot to death, four others wounded, one critically after a dispute inside the restaurant led to bloodshed outside.

Tiffeny Wilhite was one of the four who lost her life. Her cousin made an impassioned plea outside the restaurant.

Wilhite's cousin, Monica Lynch said, "Put the guns down. Fight with your hands. Let them at least wake up the next day with a couple of bruises. Fight again. Put these guns down."

The party had been in celebration of a couple's first wedding anniversary, a Buffalo man returning from Texas to his hometown with his wife to share good times with family and friends.

The groom was among the dead.

Shortly after the noon hour, Buffalo police SWAT teams took Keith Johnson, 25, into custody at his home on Minnesota Avenue.

News 4 has learned he was just released on parole for another shooting.

He's been charged with four counts of second degree murder.

Buffalo Police Commissioner, Daniel Derenda said, "In less than 12 hours, we have the suspect in custody which resulted in the arrest."

Well over a hundred people are believed to have been at the scene. Prosecutors say they still need witnesses to come forward.

Erie County District Attorney, Frank Sedita said, "I beseech those people who are witnesses to this horrible, horrible, horrible crime to come forward and give us your information. We will work with you and do everything we can to protect and guarantee your safety."

>>>For the Police release regarding the arrest click here.

Surveillance cameras may have recorded the violence as it unfolded on the street.

The City Grill says it is cooperating fully with the authorities.

Mayor Byron Brown sought to reassure Buffalo residents that the city's entertainment district is safe.

"We believe that downtown is safe. This is an incident, a terrible incident, a tragic incident, where someone or some individuals have shown absolutely no respect for human life," said Mayor Byron Brown.

The Mayor said it is difficult to prevent this type of incident, which these days, he said can happen anywhere.

It happened to a group of party goers in Buffalo who just wanted to celebrate a happy occasion.

Lynch said, "Just a nice time, like anybody else that comes out for a nice function. All you want to do is celebrate with the people, and bring good life, not end of life."