BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Common Councilman Ulysees Wingo said that he is "extremely grateful" that Erie County District Attorney John Flynn did not press charges against the councilman after he brought a gun into Riverside High School earlier this month.
"I believe that he made a good decision based off human error," Wingo said. "I made a mistake of which I am godly sorry for. I don't think people really understand the weight and the gravity of the expectation that we walk in on a daily basis. Hindsight is 20/20 and, of course, looking back, I wish I made a different decision."
Throughout his interview with the press, Wingo said could not comment further by Buffalo School Superintendent Kriner Cash.
When WBEN asked about the perception of his status as a city leader as a reason for the charges not being pressed against him, Wingo said the district attorney made his own decision.
"I am very sorry for what I did and the mistake that I made," Wingo said. "I wish that I could take it back but I couldn't. Out of respect for the superintendent's process, I can't comment any further on that."
On all questions, he reiterated that he was sorry and made a mistake, but could not comment further.
At Tuesday's regularly scheduled common council meeting, a small group of protesters were in attendance. Eight of them wore shirts that said "No Excuses. No Guns. No Wingo."
One of those protesters, Joseph Flakes -who said they are a member of Citizens for Safe Schools-, said they wore the t-shirts because they disagreed with the district attorney's decision not to charge Wingo.
"If we remember back in 2016, Dwayne Ferguson was also charged with a felony for carrying a gun inside the school," Flakes said. "Not only was he charged, he was convicted. We have Mr. Wingo who takes a gun inside a school and nothing will happen. How is that justice?"
While Flakes gave the aforementioned response, Wingo walked by an audibly coughed. He was then told by protesters while walking away that he was "rude" and he was called a "gunslinger".