Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old John R. Luper, III of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge James McLeod on one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class “D” felony. The defendant was arraigned on Monday, December 2, 2019.

It is alleged that on December 1, 2019, at approximately 3:25 p.m., the defendant was working in the kitchen of a restaurant on the 1100 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo when he engaged in a verbal argument with the owner. The defendant is accused of stabbing the victim once in the torso with a chef knife.

The victim was taken to ECMC to be treated for the injury.

Luper is scheduled to return on Thursday, December 5, 2019 for a felony hearing. Judge McLeod set bail at $5,000 cash or bond.

If convicted on the charge, Luper faces a maximum of 7 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends Officer Matthew Schaef and the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.

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