Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Nigel L. Flint of Amherst was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal gun on the 200 block of Allen Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 28-year-old Darnell J. Lynch, Jr., died at the scene.
Later the same morning, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Buffalo Police officers saw a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Mariner Street, a short distance away from the homicide investigation. Officers allegedly found a loaded, illegal handgun during a search of the vehicle. The gun was submitted into evidence for further testing.
On Monday, January 29, 2024, Flint was located in Detroit, Michigan where he was taken into custody on an indictment warrant. After waiving extradition proceedings, the defendant was returned to Western New York in mid-February to face prosecution.
Flint is scheduled to return on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens. He was held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Flint faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation as well as the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.