BUFFALO, N.Y. — Local leaders on Saturday addressed a shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy, injured his 7-year-old sister, and left the Buffalo community reeling.
"This is a very difficult situation, a very tragic situation," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said of the shooting, which happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday at a family gathering on Domedion Avenue, in the city's Schiller Park neighborhood.
The 3-year-old boy was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he later died. His 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 gathering, Mayor Brown said.
"Two children, out with their family. A 3-year-old riding his tricycle, having fun with members of his family on a hot summer night. His 7-year-old big sister, right by his side, and out of nowhere, gunfire erupts," Mayor Brown said, adding that he was "heartbroken" and "taking it personally."
Mayor Brown — as he has done after several shootings — urged Washington lawmakers to pass more gun control measures to help curb gun violence, both in Buffalo and across the nation.
He said two people of interest were interviewed by Buffalo Police in the hours that followed the shooting.
"This is a painful day for all of us," the mayor said. "We're asking the community for their continued cooperation. The community has been very helpful to the Buffalo Police Department. A lot of information has has come in. We need more information to come in so that we can make sure that the person or persons responsible for this are arrested and brought to justice."
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia was very direct in his initial comments Saturday.
"Well, here we are again, talking about a baby being murdered, being senselessly shot on the streets of the City of Buffalo," Gramaglia said. "Back in 2018, we had an 18-month-old that was shot and killed. In 2021, we had a 5-year-old that was shot and killed. And now we're talking about a child that was several weeks shy of his fourth birthday, shot senselessly.
Gramaglia said the 7-year-old girl will be OK "physically." He added that the two persons of interests were "quickly detained," then released as the investigation quickly got underway. A gun was recovered and is being tested, he said.
"We believe one shooter, one gun was fired, but that will ultimately be determined," Gramaglia said.
Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at 716-847-2255.
