Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn that a 17-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned late yesterday afternoon before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman on the following offenses:

• Three counts of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felonies)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
• Three counts of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class “D” felonies)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class “E” felonies)

It is alleged that on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at approximately 2:30 a.m., three people were shot inside of Club Marcella located on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue in the City of Buffalo. One victim, a 21-year-old man, died at the scene. Two other victims, a 49-year-old male and a 59-year-old male, were taken by ambulance to ECMC.

The adolescent offender is accused of bringing an illegal gun inside of the nightclub, which was used by another individual to commit the shooting. It is further alleged that on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the adolescent offender’s residence on North Lane in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found two illegal handguns inside of the home.

The adolescent offender is scheduled to return on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was held without bail.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joelle M. Marino of the ERPO/Raise the Age Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Unit.

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