Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Buffalo man wanted for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of his wife is now in custody.
The Buffalo Police Department tweeted Wednesday afternoon that with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, they have arrested 45-year-old Adam Bennefield, who is wanted in connection with the homicide of 40-year-old Keaira Bennefield.
According to the Erie County District Attorney's Office, Bennefield was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin Keane on Wednesday on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony) and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class "A" misdemeanors).
Bennefield is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET for further proceedings. He was held without bail, and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison, if convicted of the highest charge.
The shooting of Keaira Bennefield occurred just after 8:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 5 near Shawnee Avenue and Richlawn Avenue, where police said she was struck by gunfire while inside of a vehicle in front of her kids. She was declared dead at the scene.
Adam Bennefield has pending criminal charges for a domestic violence-related incident involving his wife. It is alleged that on Sept. 28, 2022 at approximately 8:55 a.m. ET, the defendant assaulted the victim by punching and kicking her inside of their residence in the Town of Cheektowaga. He is accused of placing the victim in reasonable fear of injury or death by displaying a knife and a box cutter during the incident. The defendant is also accused of preventing the victim from leaving the home and took her cell phone to stop her from calling for help.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Bennefield was arraigned before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David Stevens on the following charges:
- One count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class "A" misdemeanors)
- One count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- One count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- One count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation)
Bennefied was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. Prosecutors requested that the Court issue a temporary order of protection, which ordered the defendant to stay away from the victim.
Bennefield is scheduled to return to Cheektowaga Town Court on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m. ET for further proceedings.
Bennefield also spent 15 years in jail for kidnapping.
