Buffalo man sentenced for fatally shooting victim at stop light

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 45-year-old Mujihad Miller of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to 23 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at approximately 2:14 p.m., the defendant shot the victim with an illegal handgun. The shooting occurred while the victim was sitting inside of a vehicle, which was stopped a red light at the intersection of William Street and Hickory Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 30-year-old John “Rico” Walker Jr. of Buffalo, was unconscious when he was taken by ambulance to ECMC with a gunshot wound to his head. Walker died at the hospital a few days later.

Miller pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony) on Nov. 16, 2023.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department homicide squad for its work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan of the felony trials bureau, Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Comfort of the felony trials bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the homicide unit.