Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Shantelle M. Heard and 21-year-old Jayquan Roland, both of Buffalo, were arraigned on Sunday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio on the following charges:

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)

It is alleged that on September 11, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the defendants were driving northbound on the I-190 when shots were fired at their vehicle by an unknown person inside of another vehicle near the Elm Street exit. The defendants’ vehicle was hit multiple times by gunfire. No injuries were reported.

During the investigation into the shooting, New York State Police allegedly found a loaded, illegal handgun inside of the defendants’ vehicle. The handgun was reported stolen from Spartanburg, Colorado in January 2021.

Heard and Roland are scheduled to return on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing.

The Erie County DA’s Office requested that the defendants be remanded as the gun charges are qualifying offenses for bail. The judge released both defendants on their own recognizance.

If convicted of all charges, both defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison.       

DA Flynn commends the New York State Police 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.