Posted on: August 07, 2025 03:57 PM

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Shooting involving multiple deceased persons

On August 4, 2025, at approximately 11:27 P.M., Troopers out of SP Collins responded to the area of Whites Drive for a shooting in the town of Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, on the Cattaraugus Indian Territory. Investigation determined that Tylin O. Thomas Jr., 18 of Perrysburg, NY was standing on Whites Drive outside a 2012 Buick Verano occupied by Ryan A. Mohawk, 23, Perrysburg, NY (driver) and Caleb H. Stafford, 23 of Perrysburg, NY, (passenger). Thomas shoots the Buick with an AK-47 style weapon and fatally stuck Mohawk and injured Stafford. Thomas took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Stafford drove the Buick to a nearby residence to contact law enforcement. The investigation reveals that the individuals involved had an argument earlier in the day and all had a level of intoxication when the incident occurred. Autopsies were conducted at Olean General Hospital where Ryan Mohawk’s death was ruled a homicide and Tylin Thomas was ruled suicide.

NYSP Forensic Identification Unit, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca Nation Marshal’s Office, Gowanda Police Dept., and the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office are assisting in this incident.

This is an active criminal investigation.

From NYSP