Buffalo police identify suspect in May homicide on Hertel Avenue

Nearly a month after a fatal shooting led to the forced closure of Del Denby’s Tavern on Hertel Avenue, Buffalo police have named a suspect.

On Monday, the Buffalo Police Department announced it had issued a warrant for charges against William Quinones, 27, in connection with the May 7 shooting that killed 46-year-old Madjid Elbert.

Ronald Cercone, an attorney representing the tavern’s owners, said the bar reopened on May 22. “I think they found out that we really weren’t responsible for this incident,” he told the Buffalo News.

He also confirmed there was a security guard on duty at the time of the shooting, in the early hours of May 7, when Elbert was killed.

Del Denby Tavern must operate under certain additional restrictions and considerations, including having two security guards at the bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and must close at 2 a.m., instead of the 4 hours allowed citywide, four evenings per week. . The back patio must close at 11 p.m. or midnight, with outdoor music turned off at 8 p.m. on weekends.

Additionally, bar representatives will be required to meet with police monthly and any emergency calls will be handled either by the district chief or community police officers.

Contrary to what was previously discussed, Buffalo Police now say the suspect and victim did not interact with each other before the shooting, with video footage showing Elbert arriving around 9:30 p.m. to watch a basketball game and the suspect not arriving until 12 p.m. : 30 a.m., sitting at the other end of the bar. A short time later, Elbert came outside, spoke with the shooter for a brief interval before appearing to try to punch the other man, who backed away and pulled out a gun before shooting Elbert.

Anyone with information about the Quinones is asked to call the Buffalo Police Department’s confidential line at 716-847-2255. The ministry is not releasing photos at this time.