A devastating incident occurred on Saturday night near Jefferson Avenue, leaving a community in mourning. Six teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, were shot in a parking lot on Alexander Place, resulting in the tragic death of a 14-year-old girl.
The Buffalo police responded promptly to the scene at the 1500 block of Jefferson, adjacent to Alexander Place, just before 11:30 p.m. The young girl was rushed to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Several individuals were transported to ECMC via ambulance, including a 15-year-old boy in critical condition. The remaining three are reported to be in stable condition. Additionally, a 16-year-old boy sustained a grazing gunshot wound but opted out of medical treatment at the scene.
According to police, hundreds of teenagers had gathered in the vicinity for a large house party on Sunday. The evening witnessed an initial report of loud music around 10:20 p.m., followed by a call regarding a scuffle at approximately 10:30 p.m., prompting the dispersal of the crowd within about 30 minutes.
The first report of gunfire occurred at 11:10 p.m., followed shortly by reports of individuals being shot. Authorities suspect that the altercation precipitated the shooting and have indicated the presence of three handguns at the gathering.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown expressed outrage, labeling the incident a “senseless crime,” emphasizing the absurdity of firing upon a group of children. Among the victims are several students from Buffalo Public Schools, and counseling services will be provided, along with heightened security measures at the affected schools.
Masten District Council member Zeneta Everhart has been coordinating with both the Buffalo Police Department and Mayor Brown’s administration in response to the tragic event. “I implore anyone with information to step forward and aid law enforcement in their inquiry,” she emphasized. “It’s imperative that we remain unified in our stance against gun violence, not only in Buffalo but throughout our entire nation.”
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and individuals with pertinent information are encouraged to contact the confidential TIPCALL line at 716-847-2255 via call or text. The community is urged to come together to support the families affected and to work towards preventing such tragedies in the future.
