Gunman sentenced for fatally shooting teen in city's Black Rock neighborhood

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 21-year-old Javair D. Walker of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to 25 years to life in prison.

On Aug. 16, 2021, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the defendant intentionally fired at least one shot from an illegal gun into a crowd of people who were involved in a fight in the area of Page Street and Lawn Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, a 17-year-old female, was hit once in the chest by gunfire. The victim was transported by ambulance to ECMC where she was pronounced dead.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force located the defendant in the Cleveland, Ohio, area where he was arrested on the indictment warrant. Walker waived extradition and was returned to Western New York to face prosecution in September 2022.

On Oct. 25, 2023, a jury found Walker guilty of one count of murder in the second degree (class “A-I” felony) and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (class “C” violent felony). Jurors rendered their decision after less than one hour of deliberation following a four-day trial, convicting the defendant of all counts in the indictment against him.

DA Flynn commends Det. Jerry Gulian, Det. Tim Rooney, Lt. Charles Miller, officer Chelsea Rogowski and officer Brenden Robinson of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for its assistance.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Patrick B. Shanahan of the felony trials bureau and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the vehicular crimes unit.