Violence Claims Life Of 3-Year-Old In Buffalo, New York

What started as a very nice summer day full of fun and kids playing in Buffalo's Schiller Park turned dark after what city of Buffalo officials are calling a random act of violence took the life of a 3-year-old boy and left a 7-year-old girl injured after being grazed by gunfire.

According to the Buffalo Police Department, shots rang out in the early evening of Friday, June 21, 2024, on Domedion Avenue, just a few feet from Buffalo's Schiller Park. There was a group of kids playing outside when the shots were fired. Jamia Griffin, 7, and her brother, Ramone Carter, were both found by their mother, Shakenya Griffin, after she rushed outside. While Jamia was only grazed by a bullet, young Ramone, who had the nickname Red, was not so lucky. He was rushed to John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo, where he died from his wounds.

I am heartbroken by what occurred... I think all of us are sick and tired of standing up and announcing situations like this to the community.
-Byron Brown, Buffalo Mayor

Police officials told the Buffalo News that the investigation into the shooting is moving quickly, and a weapon has already been recovered. They are confident that the children were a target and we're innocent bystanders.

This is just the latest shooting in New York State's second-largest city that has claimed a life. Members of the community and government officials are at a loss surrounding this senseless act of violence.

Both Mayor Byron Brown and Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia are urging people with any information to contact the city's confidential tip line at 716-847-2255.