Buffalo man pleads guilty to attempted murder for injuring victim in shooting at dollar store

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 34-year-old Travis J. Green of Buffalo pleaded guilty Thursday morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of attempted murder in the second degree (class “B” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in full satisfaction of the indictment against him.

On Nov. 14, 2017, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendant entered a Dollar General store on Union Road in the Town of Cheektowaga to request an employment application. During the incident, the defendant became irate and exited the store. While in the parking lot, the defendant removed a high-powered rifle from his vehicle and fired numerous rounds from the parking lot into the front of the store. Several customers and employees were inside of the store at the time of the shooting. One customer was injured by gunfire.

After the shooting, the defendant ran from the scene, but was apprehended nearby by Cheektowaga Police officers. Investigators found a second high-powered rifle and more than 850 rounds of ammunition during a search of the defendant’s vehicle.

The victim, a 53-year-old man, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for injuries to his arm and shoulder.

Green faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, July 6. The defendant, who has been in custody since his arrest, remains held without bail.

DA Flynn commends Det; Christopher Chojnacki and members of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation, as well as the Good Samaritans who intervened during the attack.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the major crimes unit and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the vehicular crimes unit.