UPDATE (10/1/2024): The charged was reduced and the matter will be handled by the County Attorney's Office in Family Court.
PRESS RELEASE (9/10/2024):
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a 15-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Youth Part Judge Brenda M. Freedman on one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession of Weapons by Persons Under Sixteen (juvenile delinquent violation).
It is alleged that on Monday, September 9, 2024, at approximately 1:10 p.m., the juvenile offender was involved in a physical altercation with two other students inside of McKinley High School on Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The juvenile offender is accused of intentionally causing serious physical injuries to one student by stabbing the victim with a pocketknife.
The school’s security officers intervened in the attack and moved the injured student to the nurse’s office. The victim, a 15-year-old male, was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital where he remains hospitalized with serious physical injuries.
Responding Buffalo Police officers apprehended two students who were allegedly involved in the fight. Officers allegedly recovered a pocketknife, which was placed into evidence.
As the juvenile offender is charged with a violent felony offense, the matter will be heard in the Youth Part of Superior Court. The juvenile offender accused of stabbing the victim was initially arraigned last night before Buffalo City Court Judge Gary A. Wilson, Jr., a designated accessible magistrate. He was remanded to the custody of the Erie County Youth Services Center. The juvenile offender was scheduled to return for an arraignment and initial appearance in Youth Part this morning.
The juvenile offender is now scheduled to return on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. for further proceedings. Our office requested that the juvenile offender remain held without bail. He was released under supervision with an electronic ankle monitor. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.
“I am deeply disturbed by this violent act that occurred at McKinley High School. My office will be aggressively prosecuting this case in Youth Part. I hope that the arrest of this student sends a strong message to the young people in our community that there are serious consequences to engaging in violent, criminal behavior. Violence in our schools will not be tolerated,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Noha A. Elnakib 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.