Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a 15-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).

It is alleged that on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at approximately 11:00 a.m., police responded to Bennett Community School Campus on Main Street in the City of Buffalo to investigate the report of a gun inside of the school. The school issued a shelter-in-place as police conducted a search of the building. Buffalo Police officers allegedly found a loaded illegal handgun inside of a backpack.

The juvenile offender is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. He continues to remain released on $25,000 bail posted after his initial arraignment in Youth Part.

“While I am thankful that no one was injured during this incident, this teenager is accused of committing one of the most concerning and serious offenses - bringing a loaded handgun into school. Anyone who commits or threatens to commit a crime at any school in Erie County will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Danielle N. D’Abate and Assistant District Attorney Joelle M. Marino of the Training and Community Prosecution Bureau.

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