The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has approved a charge of criminal homicide against Brian Deante Gray, 18, regarding an incident in the 1000 block of N. Duke Street, Manheim Township, occurring during the early morning of Dec. 11, 2023.

Manheim Township Police were dispatched around 6:32 a.m. to a residence in the block for an unknown issue. The caller reported there had been an accident but declined to provide additional information.

Officers responded and met with a witness who stated, “My son killed my roommate.” Officers were provided access to a detached garage at the rear of the property and located a deceased male identified as 68-year-old Michael Pfender, who had visible injuries to his face and head and showed no signs of life.

The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injuries and the manner to be homicide.

According to charging documents, an additional witness told police Pfender lived in the detached garage and a group, including the defendant and victim, were all hanging out in the garage earlier that night. Another witness stated Gray had become upset with Pfender over comments perceived as disrespectful, but the witness had believed the two reconciled before Gray left the garage and returned inside the residence.

Manheim Township Police Detectives executed a search warrant on the property and the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office conducted a preliminary assessment on Pfender’s body, which showed he sustained blunt force trauma to the head and face. An injury consistent with a defensive wound was found on Pfender’s right hand.

Gray walked into the lobby of the Lancaster City Police Station around 11 a.m. Monday and turned himself in. He’s presumed innocent and his preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 18. Gray is being held in Lancaster County Prison without bail.

Manheim Township Police Detective Kenneth Smith filed charges, which were approved by First Deputy District Attorney Cody Wade.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.