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Six Arrested on Gun Charges Following Shots Fired Investigation in City's LaSalle Neighborhood

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that one juvenile delinquent, two adolescent offenders, and three adult defendants were arrested following an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department that resulted in the seizure of four illegal weapons. 

It is alleged that on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Kensington Avenue and Thatcher Avenue. Officers tracked a juvenile suspect to a residence on Crossman Avenue. During the investigation, officers allegedly recovered four illegal loaded firearms and placed six male suspects under arrest. 

Two adolescent offenders, a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old male, were arraigned yesterday morning before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman. Each were charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). The adolescent offenders are scheduled to return on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. Our office requested that the adolescent offenders be remanded. Both were released on their own recognizance. 

Three adult defendants, 20-year-old Timothy L. Clemons, III, 18-year-old Malik R. Laporte, and 18-year-old James Paige were arraigned yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Tiffany Perry. Each defendant was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). Our office requested that all three defendants be remanded. Bail was set at $80,000 cash or bond. Clemons, Laporte and Paige, who remain held on bail at this time, are scheduled to return on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. 

A 15-year-old male from Buffalo was also charged by the Buffalo Police Department. Our office does not have jurisdiction due to the age of the juvenile delinquent and the allegations against him. The matter will be handled by the County Attorney’s Office and adjudicated in Family Court. 

Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.  

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorneys Nicholas Marino and Joelle M. Marino of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.

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

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