Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) — A 19-year-old Rochester man was sentenced Tuesday morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, for his role in a drive-by shooting of another teen back in July of 2021.
At approximately 11:40 p.m. EST on July 26, 2021, the adolescent offender intentionally fired a rifle at the another teenage victim, who was walking along Fairgreen Avenue in the Town of Amherst. The adolescent offender was in the passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by his co-defendant, Jeremiah Johnson, when he shot the victim.
The victim, a 17-year-old at the time of the crime, was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for serious physical injuries. The victim suffered paralysis and continues to receive treatment for the injuries he sustained in the shooting.
The gunman, who was also 17-years-old at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felonies) back on Sept. 22, 2022.
At his sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Eagan denied youthful offender adjudication to the shooter.
A final order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until February 2038.
His co-defendant, 21-year-old Jeremiah Johnson of Amherst, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, back on Dec. 14, 2022.
Johnson was charged under the theory of accomplice liability for providing the shooter with the rifle and driving away from the scene of the crime. Johnson also pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the First Degree.
