Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Tanaja Whittaker, also known as “Little,” of Buffalo has been sentenced by State Supreme Justice M. William Boller to 3 ½ years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was sentenced as a second felony offender.

On April 30, 2018, at approximately 1:48 p.m., the victim was sitting inside his vehicle parked in the driveway of his Coit Street home when the defendant walked up to the car, pulled a gun out of his pants and began firing. The victim, who was struck in the abdominal area, ducked down and drove himself to Buffalo General Hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound.

Buffalo Police were able to track the defendant through the use of his parole issued ankle monitor. When police arrived at the defendant’s residence, they found a loaded shotgun, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, an unloaded .22 rifle and a variety of ammunition.

Whittaker pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in October 2018.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Detective John Paradowski of the Buffalo Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Nash of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.