Rioter who tried to set fire to city hall during buffalo protests charged

Rioter Who Tried to Set Fire to City Hall During Buffalo Protests Charged

Posted by
1 min read
October 23, 2020

BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Courtland M. Renford of Buffalo has been virtually arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging him with one count of Arson in the Third Degree, a Class “C” felony, and one count of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class “D” felony.

It is alleged that on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at approximately 11:32 p.m., the defendant intentionally threw a cardboard box that was on fire through a first-floor window of Buffalo City Hall, causing damage to the walls and the floor. The incident occurred during a protest in Niagara Square. The fire was quickly extinguished by Buffalo firefighters.

It is further alleged that earlier that evening, at approximately 10:11 p.m., the defendant and other unknown individuals broke a glass door to gain entry of a convenience store on Elmwood Avenue near Summer Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of unlawfully entering the building and stealing a beverage and multiple packs of cigarettes.

Renford is scheduled to return on November 4, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. for a telephone pre-trial conference.

He has been held in federal custody on a pending matter before the U.S. District Court. Judge DiTullio remanded the defendant on the state charges to allow him to accrue jail credit.

If convicted on all charges, Renford faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and Buffalo Fire Department for their work on the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys James M. Marra and Lauren M. Creighton of DA’s Felony Trials.

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

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version