BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Two people who were previously charged in connection to one of this summer's most horrific shootings were indicted by a grand jury for their direct involvement.
Dequan Richardson and Jonay Robinson have been charged with the murder of Shaquelle Walker, the 3-year-old boy who was shot on July 5 during a fireworks celebration at Donovan Drive in Buffalo.
Four people in total were shot in the incident, including three men who all survived.
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/shaquelle-walkers-mother-speaks-on-boys-killing" headline="Mother of 3-year-old Shaquelle Walker to killers: "You all really ruined my life"" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63599213"]Richardson, 22, and Robinson, 25, were previously charged on July 8 with gun and drug charges, but new evidence presented by prosecutors say they were directly connected to the crime. Prosecutors allege Richardson was the gunman while Robinson was the getaway driver. Police tracked the vehicle to the duo's apartment in Cheektowaga. When there, they found a rifle described as a "knock-off AR-15" which matched with the bullets at the scene. Prosecutors said cell phone records pinned both defendants together at the scene when the shooting happened.
They were charged with murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon after police found an illegal handgun at the apartment. Both were charged with two counts of murder under different legal theories. If convicted, the two could spend the rest of their life in prison.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn was furious during his news conference on Wednesday because there were approximately 25-30 people at the scene that night and no one came forward.
"There were a number of people outside when this homicide occurred," Flynn said. "There's no doubt in my mind and no doubt in anyone standing behind me's mind saw something. Just so you know, aside from one family member who came forward and told us what he or she saw, no one else said a word. Not one. Not one of the 30 people that was hanging out outside here who witnessed a 3-year-old boy get shot and killed, not one of them came forward to talk and tell us what they (saw)."
The other victims of the July 5 shooting also did not come forward. Flynn speculated there may have been confusion between fireworks and gunshots, but the district attorney was certain people physically saw the shooting.
Flynn also responded to criticism of the policing in Buffalo and said police don't have video of the incident, they need witnesses to come forward.
"These guys (Buffalo Police) are out there on the street busting their humps every day trying to get justice for the families of 3-year-olds and a 17-year-old girl two weeks ago and a 26-year-old boy at Delaware Park," Flynn said. "Spare me the nonsense about quality of police work."
Richardson and Robinson have been remanded and will return to court on September 21. Richardson's attorney, Robert Johnson, said they are reviewing the discovery of the case and that it's early in the proceeding.
