Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Felony After Illegal Gun Found During “Red Flag” Search

Fifty-one year-old Bishara Lott, Sr. of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felony).

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, at approximately 8:07 a.m., Buffalo Police conducted a search at a residence on the 200 block of Florida Street in the City of Buffalo after obtaining a temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order. A teenager who resided at the home posted a threat toward Hutchinson Central Technical High School involving the use of a firearm on a social media platform. Once the suspect was identified, the Buffalo Police Department obtained a temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order with a search provision. Investigators found two illegal handguns inside of the house.

The weapons were seized as evidence and submitted for testing. Two adults, who were home at the time of the search, were initially charged or possession of the illegal guns. Lott was linked to the weapons through DNA evidence. The case against the adult co-defendant was subsequently dismissed.

The adolescent offender, who was 16-years-old at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Threat of Mass Harm (Class “A” misdemeanor) before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman. At the consent of our office, the case was removed to Family Court for adjudication.

Lott faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to be released under supervision. DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo Office for their work in this investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Mattle of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Denise A. Herman of the Raise the Age Unit