More shootings in Niagara Falls

Multiple people shot at 19th Street & Welch Avenue

At approximately 10:20 p.m. Thursday, the Niagara Falls Police Department responded to the area of 19th Street and Welch Avenue for a report of multiple persons shot.

Upon arrival, officers learned four people had been injured. One male had already been transported to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center via private vehicle prior to police arrival. Officers located two additional persons (one male and one female) on the scene with gunshot wounds and began to render aid.

A fourth person, Nivon Smith, fled on foot as officers arrived. Arriving officers had information Smith was wanted on charges stemming from a previous shooting incident that had occurred in the same area on Aug. 26. Officers were able to detain Smith after a brief foot chase.

At that point, officers determined Smith was suffering from a graze wound to his buttocks. Officers also recovered a loaded handgun from Smith. He was transported to NFMMC for treatment, and then brought to the Niagara Falls Police Department to be booked on his charges related to the previous shooting as well as the gun possession charges from Thursday night.

He is considered innocent of any charge unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The two other victims located on scene were transported to ECMC for their non-life-threatening wounds and have since been released. The male victim transported to NFMMC via private vehicle was stabilized there, then transferred to ECMC, where he underwent emergency surgery for his multiple gunshot wounds. That male is currently listed in critical condition at ECMC.

Mayor Robert Restaino’s office stated, “For clarification, it was previously and falsely reported that this incident occurred at a vigil that was being held for a homicide victim from Wednesday night. This is not correct. This information was erroneously reported by various media outlets based off non-law enforcement sources.”

The NFPD is coordinating with local and state law enforcement resources to investigate this incident as well as the recent surge in shooting in the city.

Fatal Shooting on Walnut Avenue

At approximately 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, the NFPD responded to the 2000 block of Walnut Avenue for a report of man shot. Upon arrival, officers located a 20-year-old male laying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers rendered aid until the arrival of Niagara Falls Fire Department and AMR. The victim was transported to NFMMC, where he was pronounced dead.

This homicide is currently under investigation. Police are asking that anyone who might be a witness or have information contact the criminal investigation division at 716-286-4553 or 716-286-471.