BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man is now facing federal charges in connection with the arson at the Old Pink bar.
John W. Burns, 40, is charged with maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire, a building and real property used in interstate commerce and in activity affecting interstate commerce, namely a restaurant and bar located at 223 Allen Street in Buffalo, NY,"
Assistant US Attorney Richard P. Antoine says Burns was at the Old Pink on June 17, 2024 and allegedly had a confrontation with another person who was contracted to work security for the Old Pink.
Investigators say Burns left the area following the confrontation and is allegedly to have told the security guard "he would return to “burn that bitch down” and “ain’t nobody going to have a job”
Shortly after that confrontation, officials say the Old Pink was engulfed in flames.
Investigators say they obtained video evidence that showed a person setting the building on fire. They says witnesses identified Burns as the person in the video.
“Arson is an extremely dangerous crime, placing lives and property in danger”, stated United States Attorney Trini E. Ross in a press release. “Arson has tremendous ripple effects, leaving people homeless, without employment, or both. Here, the arson of the Old Pink left employees without jobs and destroyed an iconic gathering place in the Buffalo community. Such harm to our community will not be tolerated. My office will continue to investigate and prosecute all persons who commit arson, and other federal crimes, that negatively impact the Western District of New York.”
Burns was arraigned in Federal Court Friday afternoon. He could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted on the federal charges.
City officials said damages are estimated to be about $1.25 million. Many people who mourned the business were eager to collect a brick as a memory.
You can read the criminal complaint here: