BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Tonawanda man who was convicted of murder and shooting at police officers was sentenced to 65 years to life in prison on Monday.
Matthew R. Gerwitz, 31, of Tonawanda, was found guilty in September of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, six counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
Gerwitz was allowed to speak before receiving his sentence. He declined at first but then said he was sorry that this happened. The wife of an injured police officer spoke in court. She said when she walked out of the courtroom that "evil did not win."
Investigators say Gerwitz intentionally shot Joseph Marasco, 32, on May 26, 2020, at the corner of Morgan Street and Clinton Street in the City of Tonawanda. Marasco was taken to ECMC, where he later died.
Police say Gerwitz left the scene and later came back to his Morgan Street apartment as police were investigating the shooting down the street. While in his apartment, police say Gerwitz intentionally shot at officers who were outside the apartment building. One of the detectives on the scene, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was shot multiple times. He was taken to ECMC with non-life-threatening injuries. The other officers on the scene were not hurt.
Gerwitz tried to flee the area and continued firing at police officers while they were pursuing him. Police were able to catch up to him and used a patrol vehicle to stop Gerwitz's vehicle. A lieutenant was injured in the crash.
During their investigation, police found three illegal handguns in Gerwitz's apartment.