Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old Leslie M. Tatum of Buffalo was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies)

The defendant is accused of attempting to intentionally cause the death of a male victim by shooting him with an illegal gun outside of a tavern in the Town of Tonawanda during the early morning hours of Saturday, November 20, 2021. The incident allegedly occurred during a large fight involving several individuals outside of the bar located on Sheridan Drive near Gettysburg Avenue.

The victim was taken to ECMC where he underwent surgery for serious physical injuries.

It is further alleged that on December 3, 2021, at approximately 10:40 p.m., the defendant was the front passenger of a vehicle when Buffalo Police initiated a traffic stop on East Delavan Avenue and Roslyn Street for tinted windows. During the investigation, the officers found a loaded, illegal handgun underneath the front passenger seat.

Tatum was arrested and arraigned in Buffalo City Court on a gun charge. He was also arraigned in Tonawanda Town Court on multiple felony charges for his alleged involvement in the shooting. He was held without bail pending action of the Grand Jury.

A co-defendant, 25-year-old Quran McNish of Buffalo, was also indicted for his alleged involvement in the Tonawanda shooting incident. McNish was arraigned before Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). The defendant is accused of providing with Tatum with the illegal gun a short time before the weapon was allegedly used in the shooting.

Tatum and McNish are scheduled to return on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. before Judge DiTullio. Both remain held without bail.

If convicted of all charges in both cases, Tatum faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. If convicted of the gun charge, McNish faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department and Buffalo Police Department their work in the investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Safulko of the Major Crimes Unit.

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