Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 37-year-old Josean Roman-Cruz of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony.

He was also arraigned before Justice Burns on a separate indictment charging him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

It is alleged that on Friday, March 27, 2020, at approximately 7:15 p.m., the defendant shot 50-year-old Wilfredo Justiniano multiple times in the vicinity of Pennsylvania Street and Lakeview Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim died from his injuries.

When Roman-Cruz was apprehended four days after the alleged crime, a different illegal, loaded firearm was allegedly found in the vehicle he was driving.

Roman-Cruz is scheduled to return on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing. He remains held without bail.

If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 40 years to life in prison.  

DA Flynn commends Detective Sgt. William Cooley, Detective Jay Mayhook and Detective Scott Malec of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad as well as the Amherst Police Department for their work on the case.  

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