Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that two individuals have been indicted by a Grand Jury for their alleged roles in a double shooting that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and injured another teenager at a home in the city’s Martin Luther King Park neighborhood last month. 

A 15-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felonies), one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony), one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).

His co-defendant, 19-year-old Vincent Manirakiza of Buffalo, was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Judge Case on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony).

It is alleged that on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at approximately 2:38 p.m., the juvenile offender, while acting in concert with the co-defendant, unlawfully entered a home on the 200 block of Koons Avenue in the City of Buffalo with the intent to commit a crime. It is further alleged that the juvenile offender intentionally shot two victims with an illegal gun inside of the house. The co-defendant was charged with the crime under the theory of accomplice liability.

The 17-year-old female victim died at the scene. Due to the age of the victim, her name is not being released. The 19-year-old male victim was taken to ECMC to be treated for serious physical injuries. He has since been released from the hospital.  

Manirakiza and the juvenile offender are scheduled to return on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. Both continue to remain held without bail.

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.