Adolescent offender pleads guilty for shooting 14-year-old victim inside home in Buffalo's William-Emslie neighborhood

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced a 16-year-old male from Buffalo pleaded guilty, as charged, this morning before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman to one count of assault in the second degree (class “D” felony) and one count of criminal possession of a firearm (class “E” felony).

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at approximately 8:45 p.m., the adolescent offender shot the victim with an illegal gun. The crime occurred inside of a bedroom of a home on Mary B. Talbert Boulevard in the City of Buffalo. The victim was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital where he was treated for an injury to his back.

The adolescent offender, who is eligible for youthful offender adjudication, is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, June 12, at 11 a.m. He was released under supervision with conditions, which include house arrest when he is not attending school.

A co-defendant was charged with one count of criminal possession of a firearm (class “E” felony) and one count of endangering the welfare of a child (class “A” misdemeanor). This individual is scheduled to return before Buffalo City Court Judge Philip Dabney on Monday, April 17, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are nonqualifying offenses for bail.

DA Flynn commends the work of the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit for its work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Noha A. Elnakib of the major crimes unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the second defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.