Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old Jose A. Castillo of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Dabney on the following offenses:

• Two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felonies)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies)
• One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)

It is alleged that on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant fired multiple shots from an illegal handgun at two men, with the intent to cause their deaths, as the victims were walking on eastbound on Allen Street near Irving Place in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of riding away from the scene of the crime on a bicycle.

Both victims were taken to ECMC. One victim suffered multiple injuries that required him to remain hospitalized. The other victim was treated and released.

It is further alleged that the defendant was found in possession of an illegal gun when he was arrested at an apartment on Schiller Street yesterday afternoon.

Castillo is scheduled to return on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail.

If convicted of all charges, Castillo faces up to 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence and Intelligence Units as well as the U.S. Marshals Service for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Tactical Prosecution Unit.  

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