Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 35-year-old Salvatore S. Rizzo of Hamburg was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon Heneghan on one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony).

It is alleged that on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at approximately 10:18 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim on Botsford Place in the City of Buffalo. The victim, a 40-year-old male, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he remains hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his neck.

Rizzo is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Rizzo faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the Major Crimes Unit.

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