BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Niagara Falls man who fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend inside the Sears store at the McKinley Mall last year could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Erie County Judge Susan Eagan sentenced Keith Sparks, 45, to 20 years to life for second-degree murder.
Sparks stabbed 38-year old Mallicia Tips inside the department store on September 25, 2019. Sparks was later taken into custody at a home on Independence Avenue in Niagara Falls.
Tipps worked at Buffalo General for 13 years. She left behind three children, who were ages 16, 15, and 14 at the time of her death.
There were 14 domestic violence-related deaths in Erie County in 2019. There has been one in the county this year.
Anyone in a domestic violence situation in need of help can call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit thehotline.org to chat live 24/7.
Resources in the WNY area:
- Family Justice Center Hotline: 716-558-7233
- 211 WNY 1-888-696-9211
- Haven House: 716-884–6000
- Erie County Hotline: 716-862-4357
