Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Latrice T. Purdie, 30, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 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). Purdie pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment.
On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to Wade Avenue near Holden Street for a shooting. The victim, 39-year-old Akeem Cortez, was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal gun, which resulted in his death.
Purdie faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when she is sentenced on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. She remains held without bail.
DA Keane commends Detectives Thomas Nunan and Rita Ruffin of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Abbi L. Fuhrken of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.