Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was visibly shaken and disturbed on Saturday, as he delivered the grim news about a Friday night shooting in the city that claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy and injured his 7-year-old sister while at a family gathering on Domedion Avenue.
Related
"Out of nowhere, gunfire erupts and the children are struck by gunfire," Brown said, adding he was heartbroken by the incident.
Police say they interviewed two persons of interest in the shooting Friday night, and a gun that was recovered from the scene is being tested by law enforcement officials for evidence.
"There are witnesses to this horrific crime, and the people responsible for this 3-year-old boy being murdered should be brought to justice," Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said during a Saturday briefing with reporters.
While the investigation is unfolding and police are canvassing for video of the incident, investigators feel confident the shooting was the act of one suspect and one weapon.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia says the city is unfortunately no stranger to deadly gun violence with children as victims.
"Here we are again, talking about a baby being murdered, being senselessly shot on the streets of the City of Buffalo," Gramaglia said, as he reminded reporters of an incident in 2018 that claimed the life of an 18-month-old and a 5-year-old in 2021.
Gramaglia said officers arrived on the scene quickly, and discovered the 3-year old victim and said they, "Scooped up that baby and put him in the back of a police car and raced to ECMC."
The 3-year-old was pronounced dead at ECMC, while the 7-year-old sister was transported via ambulance to Oishei Children's Hospital, where she was treated for a graze wound and is expected to be OK.
Mayor Brown was quick to say he is "sick and tired" of all the gun violence, and is growing tired of dealing with incidents involving illegal weapons.
"There’s no reason for all of these illegal weapons to be on the streets," he said. "There are too many illegal guns on the streets of the United States of America."