Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder for Firing Shots at Buffalo Police Officer

Modified: September 28, 2020 9:46am

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5/19/2020

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Pablo E. Alicea of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, acting as a Buffalo City Court Judge, on one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a Class “A-I” felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class “B” felonies.

It is alleged that on May 18, 2020, at approximately 10:41 a.m., the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on the 2000 block of Niagara Street. As law enforcement entered the home with the warrant, the defendant allegedly jumped out of a window and encountered a member of the Buffalo Police SWAT team outside. The defendant is accused of firing multiple shots at the officer with an illegal gun, which struck a wooden post. The officer returned fire. No one was injured, and the defendant was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

Investigators allegedly recovered a quantity of heroin from inside the home.

Alicea is scheduled to return on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He was held without bail. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

Another individuals were was during the execution of the search warrant. Cesarae Thomas, 40, of Buffalo was also arraigned before Justice Boller on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for allegedly having a loaded, illegal gun on his person at the time of his arrest. He is scheduled to return on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He was held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Intelligence Unit and SWAT Team for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. 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.