BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo teen will spend more than 20 years in prison for fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl.
The 19-year-old teen, who is not being identified due to their age, was sentenced in Erie County Court to 23 years in prison, followed by five years post-release supervision.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office says the teen, along with another juvenile offender, attempted to rob a male victim who was in a vehicle that was parked on the 100 block of Elmer Avenue in Buffalo on Aug. 19, 2022. During the robbery, the teen shot a female victim who was sitting in the front passenger seat.
The victim, 16-year-old Emily Keiper of Niagara Falls, died from her injuries at the hospital.
2 On Your Side spoke to her family in 2022. Emily's family, including her mom Michelle and uncle Johnny, say Emily was a bright light with a big heart and even bigger dreams.
She worked two jobs, including one at Wegmans, so she could afford her very first car.
"She was so proud of herself," Michelle said. "One of her customers, and I didn't even know you could do this, went up to the manager and said, 'I just had such a great experience with my cashier. She was so friendly, and she talked to me, and she took the time out to ask how my day was going.' And that's just the type of person she was."
Her uncle Johnny told 2 On Your Side that Emily was a role model to her two younger siblings. She and her older sister Paige were extremely close as well.
"She just lit up a room when she walked in, her personality was just so vibrant and so bright, and she had such a big heart. She was so strong-minded," Johnny said. "She was instrumental like when like, with her siblings, babysitting them and looking out for them."
The teen defendant pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the first degree. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant was denied youthful offender adjudication, which would have reduced their sentence.
The co-defendant was 14 years old at the time of the crime. That case has been transferred to Family Court.
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