NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A Niagara Falls man will spend more than 30 years in prison for multiple crimes in the Cataract City.
Gabriel Behrens, 22, of Niagara Falls, was sentenced to more than 32 years behind bars for a series of crimes, including manslaughter.
Behrens pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree for shooting and killing Elijah Lopez, 16, this past February at Jordan Gardens.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Behrens recently pleaded guilty to Attempted Robbery in the First Degree for an armed robbery in an alleyway off Niagara Street on February 26. He also pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, an offense police say happened in 2022.
“This individual’s criminal conduct ranged from possession of an illegal weapon to armed robbery and manslaughter, resulting in the tragic loss of a young man’s life,” said Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman. “He will now spend the next three decades in prison, a lengthy sentence but no consolation to Elijah Lopez’s family.”
In addition to the 32-year prison sentence, Behrens will have to serve five-years post release supervision.
