Keith Holmes, 30, of Rochester, NY, has been charged with assaulting a federal officer, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of ammunition following an incident in Buffalo where he allegedly fired at U.S. Marshals. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life.
The incident occurred on June 8, 2026, when four Deputy U.S. Marshals and nine USMS Fugitive Task Force officers attempted to arrest Holmes at a residence on Glenwood Avenue in Buffalo. Holmes was a fugitive, having violated the terms of his federal supervised release after a 2020 conviction in Maine for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession, which resulted in a 96-month prison sentence.
Law enforcement surrounded the residence and announced their presence before entering. As officers approached a bedroom where Holmes was located, he allegedly fired multiple rounds through the door, striking a ballistic shield held by a Deputy U.S. Marshal approximately three times. Officers returned fire, striking Holmes, who was then transported to Erie County Medical Center for treatment. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the exchange.
The FBI recovered a 9mm privately made firearm, referred to as a “ghost gun,” along with approximately 20 live rounds of 9mm ammunition and multiple fired cartridge casings from the bedroom. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said the case “highlights the dangers that are faced every day by law enforcement officers.” Charles Salina, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of New York, recognized the “courageous work” of the task force, while Brendan Dunford, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of FBI Buffalo, emphasized that “violence against law enforcement officers threatens the safety of our communities and will not be tolerated.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Buffalo Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Holmes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.