BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a 15-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned this evening before Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Y. Wray, a designated Youth Part judge, on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at approximately 11:00 a.m., police responded to Bennett High School on Main Street in the City of Buffalo to investigate the report of a gun inside the school. The school issued a shelter-in-place as police conducted a search of the building. Buffalo Police officers allegedly found a loaded handgun inside of a backpack.
The juvenile offender is currently remanded to the custody of the Erie County Youth Service Center pending a return court appearance tomorrow morning regarding bail.
“I am thankful that no one was injured during this incident today. This teenager is accused of committing one of the most serious and concerning offenses – bringing a loaded handgun into his school. I am committed to keeping our schools safe. Any crime, or threat of a potential crime, at a school in Erie County will be thoroughly investigated by my office and our partners in law enforcement,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Danielle D’Abate of the Training and Community Prosecution Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.