Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 30-year-old Shanita Chapman of Buffalo has been arraigned by Erie County Court Judge David W. Foley on an indictment charging her with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Robbery in the First Degree.

It is alleged that on July 17, 2016, Chapman robbed and then beat to death 79-year-old Upender Bawa, owner of the Taste of Life restaurant, in his apartment above the business at 889 Sycamore Street in Buffalo.

Chapman pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail without bail. If convicted of the charges, Chapman faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the investigative work of the Buffalo Police Homicide squad, including Detective Sgt. Carl Lundine and Detectives Joy Jermain, Patricia Wrest, James Kaska and Brendan Kiefer.

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

John Patrick Feroleto of acting DA Flaherty’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case.