A Buffalo man is facing up to 40 years in prison for his involvement in a high-speed police chase through the city. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that the 28-year-old man was arraigned on the morning of Wednesday, July 6, 2022, by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case. Kente Q. Bell was charged with the following crimes:

- Five counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (Class “A-I” felonies)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon of Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class “D” felony)
- One count of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Buffalo Police Officers on patrol spotted a vehicle with tinted windows driving on West Ferry Street near Niagara Street. The officers pulled the vehicle, driven by the defendant, over in Broderick Park around 6 pm. Bell allegedly drove off after police ran his registration and it came back as suspended.

The defendant allegedly led police on a chase at a high rate of speed head northbound on Niagara Street into the Black Rock neighborhood. A female who was allegedly riding with Bell jumped out of the vehicle and was taken into custody on Military Road near Glor Street.

The defendant allegedly tried to kill officers by firing an illegal weapon at them at the following locations:

- Austin Street near Kail Street

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- Bailey Avenue near Langfield Avenue

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- Bailey Avenue near Arden Avenue

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- Fillmore Avenue and Genesee Street

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- East Ferry Street near Fillmore Avenue

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Credit: Associated Press via Youtube

The chase ended when the defendant's vehicle crashed into a billboard on East Ferry Street near Fillmore Avenue. After the crash, he allegedly continued to fire at officers. Buffalo police shot back and injured Bell. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center with injuries to his hand, shoulder and lower extremities. He is still in the hospital, in police custody being held without bail. He shot one officer during the incident. Two officers were allegedly shot by other Buffalo Police.

The Erie County DA’s Office conducted a thorough review of the incident and determined that the actions of the police officers who fired their weapon were justified. The Buffalo Police officers have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

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