Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Angel Gonzalez-Rondon, 22, of Cheektowaga, was arraigned yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Samuel P. Davis, Sr. on 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 Monday, April 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a shooting on the 200 block of Walden Avenue near St. Louis Avenue. The victim, a 21-year-old male, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he died from the injuries. The defendant is accused of intentionally causing the death of the victim by shooting him with an illegal firearm.
Gonzalez-Rondon also faces additional charges related to his alleged conduct prior to his arrest. Yesterday, the defendant was arraigned before Judge Davis on one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, one count of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class A misdemeanors), one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, one count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanors under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law) and seven Vehicle & Traffic Law violations.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at approximately 12:52 a.m., police observed the defendant operating a vehicle in the area of Broadway and Bailey Avenue in the City of Buffalo. When the officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the defendant allegedly attempted to flee. The defendant is accused of operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license and recklessly engaged in conduct that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. The defendant is also accused of recklessly driving an unregistered vehicle without insurance, speeding, failing to use headlights, failing to signal, and passing a red light during the pursuit. The defendant was taken into custody after he allegedly stopped the vehicle on Harlem Road in West Seneca where he attempted to run from police.
Gonzalez-Rondon is scheduled to return on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail on the homicide case and nominal bail was set on the reckless endangerment file.
If convicted of the highest charge, Gonzalez-Rondon faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano 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.