Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Blake M. Banks of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Y. Wray on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony).

It is alleged that on July 20, 2021, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the defendant shot a 40-year-old male victim during a dispute on Broadway near Bennett Street in the City of Buffalo. After being shot, the victim attempted to drive away, but crashed his vehicle nearby. The victim was taken to ECMC where he died from his injuries.

Banks, who is a Buffalo firefighter off-duty at the time of the alleged incident, is scheduled to return on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail.

If convicted of the charge, Banks faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. 

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation.   

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Homicide Unit.

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