Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Jason Washington of Buffalo has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on a superseding indictment. The defendant was arraigned on Friday, February 14, 2020.

It is alleged that on October 1, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the defendant fired multiple shots at an occupied house on Ruspin Avenue in the City of Buffalo. He is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” violent felony, and one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony.

It is further alleged that on October 1, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the defendant approached a man who was standing outside his home on LaSalle Avenue and pointed a gun at the victim to coerce him back into the home. While on the porch of the home, the victim allegedly hit the defendant with a chair. It is alleged that during the scuffle, the defendant was subsequently shot in the hand with the illegal weapon he possessed and fled the scene. He is charged with one count of Attempted Burglary in the First Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, both Class “C” violent felonies.

Washington was previously arraigned on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony, one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “B” felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony. He is accused of fatally shooting 36-year-old Norzell Aldridge and attempting to shoot another person during a fight at a little league football game Emerson Park on August 31, 2019.

He also has pending assault and gun charges in a separate indictment for allegedly firing multiple shots toward a juvenile victim at McCarthy Park in the City of Buffalo. The victim was struck once and taken to ECMC to be treated for an injury to his leg.

Washington remains remanded without bail. He is scheduled to return for a pre-trial conference before Judge Eagan on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.  

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in these investigations, including Det. Sgt. William Cooley and Det. Jason Mayhook.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene Partridge of the DA’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

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