LANCASTER, PA — The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has approved a criminal homicide charge against 18-year-old Brian Deante Gray. The charge comes following an incident that occurred in the early morning of December 11, 2023, on the 1000 block of N. Duke Street in Manheim Township.
Manheim Township Police were dispatched to a residence at around 6:32 a.m. after receiving a call reporting an unspecified incident. Upon arrival, officers met with a witness who claimed, “My son killed my roommate.” The officers were guided to a detached garage at the rear of the property where they found the body of 68-year-old Michael Pfender. Pfender had visible injuries to his face and head and showed no signs of life.
The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office later determined the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injuries, ruling the manner of death as homicide. Charging documents reveal that another witness told police that Pfender lived in the detached garage and that Gray, along with others, had been socializing there earlier that night.
A separate witness reported that Gray had become upset with Pfender over comments perceived as disrespectful. However, the witness believed the two had reconciled before Gray left the garage and returned to the main residence.
Manheim Township Police Detectives executed a search warrant on the property, and the coroner’s office conducted a preliminary assessment on Pfender’s body. The assessment revealed blunt force trauma to Pfender’s face and head, along with a defensive wound on his right hand.
Gray turned himself into the Lancaster City Police Station at around 11 a.m. on Monday. He is currently being held at the Lancaster County Prison without bail. His preliminary hearing is tentatively set for December 18. The charges against Gray were filed by Manheim Township Police Detective Kenneth Smith and approved by First Deputy District Attorney Cody Wade.
It’s important to note that these charges are allegations. Gray, like all suspects, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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