Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - More violence inside Club Marcella, as Buffalo police have made two arrests as part of their investigating into an overnight shooting incident at the club on Sunday.
20-year-old Yeramell Benitez and 29-year-old Ramon Lopez are now each being charged with one count of Gang Assault in the First Degree (Violent "B" felony) in, what police are calling, a targeted attack.
"The victim and suspects, we believe they know each other and that this was a targeted incident. This was not random. This was a targeted shooting. That's the evidence that we have at this point," said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Officers responded to the call just after 2:40 a.m. EST on Sunday to the 100 block of Michigan Avenue. Detectives say a male was beaten and shot in the upper-leg/thigh area inside of a bathroom in the club.
The 30-year-old Buffalo male was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he's listed in stable condition.
Both Gramaglia and Erie County District Attorney John Flynn say there is a possibility more arrests will be made as a result of this incident, and additional charges could be added for both Benitez and Lopez.
Benitez was arraigned on Monday and has been remanded, while Lopez will appear in court on Tuesday. Flynn says he will request that Lopez is also remanded as a result of this incident.
As a result of the shooting, the fourth at the club this year alone, the City of Buffalo is ordering the club to be shut down.
"I am beyond disappointed and alarmed by the news of another shooting at Club Marcella early this morning," Fillmore Councilman Mitch Nowakowski told WBEN on Sunday. "Ensuring the safety and stability of the Cobblestone District is paramount. Therefore, I support the Police Commissioners decision for an immediate closure (see below) prioritizing the safety of everyone in the surrounding area amidst ongoing safety and security concerns.”
Commissioner Gramaglia also mentioned that the club could potentially reopen, but would have to undergo and adhere to a number of inspections conducted by both the Buffalo PD and the city's Department of Permits and Inspection Services.
"The club is entitled to a hearing within 60 days, where they will come before the Department of Permits and Inspection Services and the police department will be involved in that process. We will work with them to determine whether or not they can and will reopen and under what conditions in which they will reopen."
Police say the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at (716)-847-2255.
Related
ORDER FOR IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF CLUB MARCELLA
106 Michigan Ave Buffalo, NY
BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
CLUB MARCELLA
106 MICHIGAN
Dec. 3, 2023
To Whom It May Concern:
A dire emergency currently exists in the area of 106 MICHIGAN AVE as a result of the disruptive and violent behavior that has taken place immediately inside and outside of CLUB MARCELLA, located at 106 Michigan in the City of Buffalo.
- 12/3/2023 at approximately 0241 hrs., shots were fired inside of CLUB MARCELLA resulting in 1 person being shot.
- 10/01/2023 at 0419 hrs. a shooting incident occurred at 103 Michigan across the street from CLUB MARCELLA where an unknown person fired multiple times from a vehicle resulting in 2 persons being shot who were patrons of CLUB MARCELLA.
- 02/12/2023 at 0239 hrs. a shooting occurred in CLUB MARCELLA where three individuals including a security officer employed by CLUB MARCELLA were shot resulting in injury and one person was killed as a result.
- 01/29/2023 at CLUB MARCELLA at 0305 hrs., a shooting occurred resulting in a victim suffering one gun shot wound injury.
There have been several calls indicating potentially hazardous and disorderly activity at the location including these incidents.
In summation, this year there have been 45 calls to service to Club Marcella at 106 Michigan in 2023 including 14 assault calls, 8 threats and threats in progress calls in addition to 4 shootings at and around the location involving patrons of Club Marcella resulting in 7 victims shot and one fatality.
As a result, I have deemed that the immediate closure of Club Marcella is necessary to promote and secure the preservation of peace and good order. Thus, pursuant to the authority granted to me pursuant to Section 313-3 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, I am hereby directing you to immediately close, and keep closed, Club Marcella, for so long as I deem necessary, in order to preserve peace and good order.
Please be advised that if you neglect or refuse to comply with my directive, any member of the police force is empowered to close Club Marcella and keep it closed.
Joseph A. Gramaglia
Commissioner of Police