Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Blake M. Banks of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging him with 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 40-year-old Jason Johnson during a dispute on Broadway near Bennett Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim attempted to drive away after being shot, but crashed his vehicle nearby. He was taken to ECMC where he died from his injuries.

Banks, who was a Buffalo firefighter that was off-duty at the time of the alleged incident, is scheduled to return on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to remain held 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 Bureau.

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