Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a 16-year-old male from Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony). The juvenile offender pleaded guilty to the highest charge in the indictment against him.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at approximately 2:38 p.m., the juvenile offender, while acting in concert with a co-defendant, unlawfully entered a home on the 200 block of Koons Avenue in the City of Buffalo through a window. Once inside of the home, the juvenile offender, who was 15-years-old at the time of the crime, intentionally shot two victims with an illegal, “ghost gun.”

One victim, a 17-year-old female, died at the scene. Due to the age of the deceased victim, her name will not be released by our office. The second victim, a 19-year-old male, was taken to ECMC where he was treated for an injury to his arm. 

The co-defendant, 20-year-old Vincent Manirakiza of Buffalo, was indicted on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony), under the theory of accomplice liability for his role in the homicide, and one count of Burglary in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony). If convicted of the charge, Manirakiza faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He continues to be held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

The juvenile offender faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to be held without bail in the custody of the Erie County Youth Services Center.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the Felony Trials Bureau.

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