BUFFALO, N.Y. — Just four days after learning of the death of 3-year-old Ramone Carter, the City of Buffalo suffered another blow Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities revealed they believe that the two people responsible for the young boy’s death were children themselves.
Two teenage boys are facing multiple charges in connection to Carter’s death — a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. Buffalo Police and prosecutors announced the indictment on Tuesday night. Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said he could not reveal their identities because of their ages.
They face murder, attempted murder, assault and weapons charges. Both teens are being held without bail.
“Literally babies killing babies,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said. “The fact that these children had guns and were so willing to use them indiscriminately is what brings us to this point today.”
Carter was killed Friday night on Domedion Avenue in the city’s Schiller Park neighborhood. He was riding his tricycle at a family gathering when he was shot. His 7-year-old sister was grazed by a bullet but survived.
Keane said on Tuesday afternoon that Carter and his sister were not the intended target.
He added that one of the teens had a revolver, and the other had a pistol.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joe Gramaglia said that a gun recovered at the scene was forensically linked to the crime.
Officials did not say the motive for the shooting, how the teens obtained the weapons or if it was gang related. They did say that the 16-year-old will face the normal sentence of an adult while the 14-year-old will face a different sentence as a juvenile.
However, both could see up to life in prison.
They will return to court on July 24 at 9 a.m.
Carter’s mother Shakenya Griffin was at a loss for words Tuesday, as she’s now trying to hold onto the memories of her 3-year-old son, who loved riding his bicycle, being with his family and cheering on the Bills and his idol Josh Allen.
“I always wanted a son, got my son, now I don’t have a son,” she said. “I miss my son. I really miss him.”