SCRANTON – Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher announced today that Travis Lanzo, 31, was sentenced to life without parole followed by an additional 23½ to 47 years in prison for the shooting death of David Deshler, 27, on March 12, 2023.

“We hope this sentence sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in the City of Scranton or any other community in Lackawanna County,” said Gallagher. “Our number one priority is making sure our streets are safe for our citizens, children and families. Putting an end to gun- and gang-related violence remains the top priority of the District Attorney’s Office.”

On Dec. 16, following a weeklong jury trial before Lackawanna County Judge Andrew J. Jarbola, Lanzo was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and carrying a firearm without a license.

In what prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sara Varela described during his trial as “target practice,” Lanzo shot Deshler in the back of the head as he walked down Schultz Court near Mulberry Street in the city’s Hill Section. The shooting sprang from a dispute between Jonathan Lance Smith, 33, and Freddy “Frenchie” Mealing, 23, at a vigil earlier in the night. Smith contacted David Gaskins, Noah Ortiz and Lanzo, who returned to the area in two separate cars, police said. It was unclear why Lanzo shot Deshler in a dispute involving the other two men.

Gallagher praised the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies that worked collaboratively to arrest Lanzo and bring him to justice, including the Scranton Police Department, the U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, the Greene County, N.Y., Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by Scranton Police Detectives Michael Schultz and Edward McIntyre and prosecuted by Varela and Assistant District Attorney Danielle Guari.