Buffalo Man Sentenced in Riverside Shooting Death
Sir Raven Rodgers received a 20-year prison sentence for the 2025 killing of Rafael Ruiz Quinones.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Violence
Sir Raven Rodgers was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the shooting death of 47-year-old Rafael Ruiz Quinones. The incident occurred in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process that began after Rodgers pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. The resolution follows a reduction of original second-degree murder and gun charges.
Sir Raven Rodgers received a 20-year prison sentence for a first-degree manslaughter conviction. He will serve an additional five years of post-release supervision following his incarceration.
The players
Sir Raven Rodgers
He is the 31-year-old individual convicted of first-degree manslaughter.
Rafael Ruiz Quinones
He was the 47-year-old victim of the fatal shooting in the Riverside neighborhood.
The details
Rodgers, 31, admitted to shooting 47-year-old Rafael Ruiz Quinones on Isabelle Street near Laird Avenue in Buffalo. The plea agreement secured in July 2026 allowed for the reduction of initial murder and weapons charges.
Timeline
The shooting occurred at 9:30 p.m. on October 14, 2025.
Rodgers entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in July 2026.
The sentencing hearing took place on October 13, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows the state judicial application of mandatory penalties for serious violent crimes within New York. The outcome aligns with sentencing protocols for first-degree manslaughter convictions in the region.
The sentencing brings closure to a violent incident that occurred in the Riverside neighborhood. Local residents in the area around Isabelle Street and Laird Avenue can expect the legal proceedings to conclude with this incarceration.
The takeaway
This case highlights the finality of the judicial process following a guilty plea in a violent crime. The court's decision ensures that the offender serves a lengthy term for the life taken in the Riverside community.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Violence section.
