BUFFALO, N.Y. — It’s been just over three months since Roquishia Lewis’ son Tyler was stabbed to death at the University at Buffalo, and she is still waiting for answers.
“My life is just destroyed because of this senseless crime, and I feel hopeless at this point,” she said.
On Oct. 14, Tyler — a sophomore at Buffalo State — was allegedly murdered while visiting UB’s campus.
University Police and the District Attorney’s office have been investigating the case since, and while a white male in his late teens or early 20s has been identified as a person of interest, no arrests have been made.
“They told me there's no cameras, no witnesses, no answers,” Lewis said. “Four months later, it's disheartening.”
Despite UB Police releasing a statement Wednesday saying authorities are actively investigating Tyler's case and have had regular contact with the family, his mother says she’s hardly heard from them.
“It’s a slap in the face. It hurts. I’m not able to grieve. They’re not allowing me,” she said. “No. Lies. Just arrest someone already. You know who it is.”
Lewis became frustrated by what she believes is inaction by local authorities, prompting her to take matters into her own hands. She hired a private investigator last week and made the trip from her home on Long Island to UB’s campus Sunday to hand out flyers to students on the move-in day ahead of the spring semester.
Lewis said she hoped the flyers would alert parents of the potential danger still out there on UB’s campus with the suspect still at large. They also state that she would offer a $4,000 reward for any information that could lead to an arrest.
But she still remains without justice and with a hole in her heart — one that the Buffalo community is trying to help her fill.
“That's the only thing that's keeping me going,” Lewis said of the support she’s received from the Buffalo community. “Other than that, I don't know where I would be.”
2 On Your Side reached out to the District Attorney’s office for comment, but it did not immediately respond to requests.
On Monday University Police at the University at Buffalo, issued the following statement:
“University Police is moving into the final stages of our comprehensive investigation and expect the district attorney will take action on the case in the very near future.
"We understand the family’s desire for a full understanding and account of what occurred on the tragic evening of Oct. 14, 2022. We want nothing more than to provide the Lewis family with answers that will help them make sense of Tyler’s tragic death. Because this remains an active investigation, we are unable to publicly release any further information until the DA is prepared to do so.”
On Wednesday, the Erie County District Attorney's Office released this statement:
“Our investigation into the death of Tyler X. Lewis is nearly complete. While it is my policy to not comment during an active investigation, I want to assure the Lewis family, University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University communities, and the public that this case remains a top priority.
"Since October 14, 2022, my office has been actively working alongside University at Buffalo Police, New York State Police, Amherst Police Department, Erie County Central Police Services, and the FBI to conduct a complete and thorough investigation into the events that led to Tyler’s tragic death.
"I understand the difficulties of waiting for answers and recognize the importance of transparency in this case. We have been in communication consistently with Tyler’s family to provide updates without compromising this ongoing investigation. No further information will be released by my office until the investigation is complete.
"I extend my sincerest condolences to Tyler’s friends and family as they continue to mourn his passing. They continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.”