TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WBEN) – The man who allegedly ambushed police officers in the City of Tonawanda last month will see his case go to a grand jury.
Matthew Gerwitz was charged last month with three counts of attempted murder and two weapons charges after he tried killing multiple police officers who were investigating a fatal shooting believed to be committed by Gerwitz earlier that evening. A detective, David Ljiljanich, was shot multiple times and survived.
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The May 26 incident first began with a drive-by shooting that killed a 32-year-old man on Morgan Street. While gathering evidence, police saw Gerwitz return to his upstairs home. When they asked him to come out, he went back into his home and later came out with a modified rifle and shot at the six officers on scene.
When Gerwitz was arraigned, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn described Gerwitz as a “gun enthusiast, who likes to make his own guns.” Flynn said Gerwitz did not have a permit for a 9mm pistol believed to be used for the drive-by shooting and added that the gun appeared to be made using materials bought online.
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"The assault rifle that he used is illegal because the modifications that he made to it at home make it a violation of the SAFE Act and make it an illegal gun," Flynn said last month.
Gerwitz faces life in prison if convicted of the charges. He remains in jail with no bail eligible. The date of the grand jury proceedings is unknown.