(WNY News Now) – A 16-year-old Buffalo youth faces serious charges after allegedly leading a violent assault that left a 15-year-old boy hospitalized with severe injuries in Buffalo’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.
BUFFALO, NY — Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that a 16-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned late Thursday on charges of Gang Assault in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony. The arraignment, held before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman, addressed allegations surrounding a brutal incident that occurred on October 29, 2024.
At approximately 2:55 p.m. on the day of the incident, the defendant, reportedly with the assistance of several others, engaged in an assault on a 15-year-old boy at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park near North Parade Avenue. During the attack, the victim was repeatedly punched and kicked by multiple individuals, rendering him unconscious. He was subsequently transported to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where he remains under medical care for severe injuries.
The adolescent defendant is scheduled to appear for a felony hearing on November 4, 2024, and has been remanded to the Erie County Youth Services Center.
“My office will be aggressively prosecuting this adolescent offender in Youth Part as police continue to search for additional suspects involved this attack. I want residents of this community, especially our youth, to know that we take these cases seriously and there are consequences to engaging in violent criminal behavior. My thoughts and prayers remain with the victim and his family as he continues to recover at the hospital,” said Acting Erie County DA Mike Keane.
The ongoing investigation is being led by the Buffalo Police Department, with Acting DA Keane commending their efforts. The case is currently being managed by Chief Noha A. Elnakib and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Marino of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.