Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Sevehn J. Venable, also known as “Tuka,” of Buffalo pleaded guilty today before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to the following charges:

• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class “B” felony
• One count of Assault in the First Degree, Class “B” felony
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class “C” felony
• One count of Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree, Class “E” felony

The defendant, who virtually appeared in court, pleaded guilty to all charges in the indictment against him.

On April 8, 2020, at approximately 11:16 p.m., the defendant shot a victim, who was sitting inside a vehicle, with an illegal gun on Madison Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim was taken to ECMC to be treated for a serious injury. The defendant also intimidated a witness to the crime by making threats over the phone.

Venable faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Flynn commends Detectives Erin McCarthy and Anthony LaPiana of the Buffalo Police Department and E District patrol officers for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick B. Shanahan of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the DA’s Justice Courts Bureau.