Mass shooting today: Local leaders respond to death of 3-year-old

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Local leaders Saturday addressed a shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy, injured his 7-year-old sister and left the Buffalo community in shock.

“It’s a very difficult situation, a very tragic situation,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said of the shooting that occurred around 9:30 p.m. Friday at a family gathering on Domedion Avenue in the Schiller neighborhood. Park.

The 3-year-old boy was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he later died. Her 7-year-old sister was also shot and is being treated at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo police said.

The shooting was not related to the family reunion, Mayor Brown said.

“Two children, outside with their families. A 3 year old child on his tricycle, having fun with his family members on a hot summer night. His 7 year old big sister, right by his side, and out of Nowhere are shots ringing out,” Mayor Brown said, adding that he was “heartbroken” and “taking it personally.”

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Mayor Brown — as he did after several shootings — urged Washington lawmakers to pass more gun control measures to help reduce gun violence, both in Buffalo and across the country.

He said two people of interest were questioned by Buffalo police in the hours after the shooting.

“This is a painful day for all of us,” the mayor said. “We are asking the community for their continued cooperation. The community has been very helpful to the Buffalo Police Department. A lot of information has come in. We need more information to be able to ensure that the person or persons responsible are arrested and brought to justice.”

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia was very blunt in his initial comments Saturday.

“Well, here we are again, talking about a murdered baby, senselessly gunned down on the streets of the city of Buffalo,” Gramaglia said. “In 2018, we had an 18-month-old who was shot and killed. In 2021, we had a 5-year-old who was shot and killed. And now we’re talking about a child who was several weeks old late for his fourth birthday, shot for no reason.

Gramaglia said the 7-year-old will be fine “physically.” He added that the two persons of interest were “quickly arrested” and then released as the investigation quickly got underway. A firearm was recovered and is being tested, he said.

“We believe a shooter and a gun were fired, but that will ultimately be determined,” Gramaglia said.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call or text the confidential TIPCALL line at 716-847-2255.