Man found in burning car was shot, stabbed
A Buffalo man whose body was discovered by Buffalo firefighters early today in a burning car on the city's far East Side had been shot and stabbed, Buffalo police said.
Shawn Wilson, 34, also had been the victim of gunplay in Amherst last month, Amherst police officials reported.
Authorities tonight were still piecing together details leading up Wilson's death.
Wilson's body was found in the back seat of a Ford Taurus after firefighters were called about 2 a.m. to extinguish a car fire in the 100 block of Roma Street.
An autopsy conducted today showed Wilson had been shot and stabbed "repeatedly," according to Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives.
"Our investigation is trying to determine what his last movements were, where he might have been and who he might have been with," Richards said.
Wilson, who is the 49th homicide victim in Buffalo in 2009, survived being shot Sept. 19 on Allenhurst Road in Amherst. Wilson was found shot several times when Amherst police responded to a 1:20 a.m. report of shots fired in the 500 block of Allenhurst.
It is unclear whether that incident was related to his killing.
"It's under investigation," said Amherst Capt. Stephen J. McGonagle. "The Amherst Police Department is working with the Buffalo Police Department and the Erie County District Attorney's Office."
Wilson, whose last known address was listed as Dodge Avenue, was apparently targeted by his assailants but it remained unclear when that happened as well as whether he was shot and stabbed in the car, on Roma Street or whether his body was brought there and the car was set ablaze. Police offered few other clues about the murder.
Wilson was known to law enforcement. According to records, he served two stints in state prison, most recently involving a 2000 case where he was convicted of felony reckless endangerment, weapons possession and criminal contempt. He was released on parole in December 2007.
The burned-out vehicle where Wilson's body was found was impounded by police for evidence.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators on the Buffalo police confidential tip call line. The number is 847-2255.
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