Teen Who Tried To Shoot Police Officer Pleads Guilty

Modified: December 1, 2016 11:24am

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11/28/2016

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 19-year-old Andre Fuller of Buffalo has pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for attempting to shoot a Buffalo police officer. 

On June 15th around 11:30 p.m. at Doat Street and Stewart Avenue in Buffalo, BPD Officer Anthony Fanara spotted Fuller fleeing the scene of a robbery. 

Officer Fanara jumped out of his patrol car to chase down the suspect. Officers Joseph Acquino and Bradford Pitts who were in a separate police car also joined the foot chase. 

Fanara caught up with the armed suspect, wrestled him to the ground and was trying to grab the loaded .45 caliber handgun from his hands when the defendant pressed the gun into Fanara’s chest and twice pulled the trigger; but, the weapon did not fire. At that time, Officer Acquino was able to knock the weapon from Fuller’s hand and the suspect was handcuffed by Officer Pitts. 

“I am so grateful that no lives were lost here. This so very easily could have ended in the deaths of a police officer and Mr. Fuller, and all three officers deserve great praise for disarming the suspect safely, “ says acting DA Flaherty. “We are all aware of the deadly shootings between law enforcement and citizens around the country, and we are thankful to have avoided that here.” 

Fuller faces 15-20 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Franczyk on January 4, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.  Fuller was remanded to jail without bail. 

Paul C. Parisi, Chief of DA Flaherty’s Tactical Prosecution Unit and Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan are prosecuting the case.