BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Jesse McClure of Buffalo and 20-year-old Liam Valentin of Buffalo were arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Jenelle Faso on 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 Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
It is alleged that on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at approximately 12:10 a.m., the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, attempted to intentionally cause the death of the victim by shooting him with an illegal weapon. The incident occurred as the victim was sitting inside of a parked vehicle on Hennepin Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendants were arrested a short time later on Bailey Avenue. A backpack containing an illegal handgun was recovered nearby.
The victim, a 49-year-old male, was taken to ECMC where he remains hospitalized with serious physical injuries.
McClure and Valentin are scheduled to return on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Both were held without bail.
If convicted of all charges, McClure and Valentin face a maximum of 25 years in prison. DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. 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.