2 teenagers charged in shooting that killed 3-year-old

Watch the full press conference in the video player above.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Two teenagers were charged Tuesday in connection with a Friday night shooting on Domedion Avenue that left a 3-year-old boy dead.

A 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were charged and remanded in custody after being arrested Tuesday afternoon, Acting Erie County Prosecutor Michael Keane said. Their names have not been released due to their ages.

Three-year-old Ramone Carter was killed and his 7-year-old sister was shot and injured while attending an outdoor family gathering.

The teens were both charged with the following charges:

• second degree murder, one count
• attempted murder, one count
• second degree assault, one count

They were also separately charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Keane said one of the boys allegedly had a revolver and the other a pistol.

The 16-year-old is charged as an adult and faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison or a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. The 14-year-old faces a different sentence because of his age, which is a minimum of 7 1/2 years to life or a maximum of 15 years to life in prison.

Keane said it was believed they were not targeting Carter and his sister, but may have targeted another youth.

“While it’s alarming that it’s 14- and 16-year-olds doing this, it’s an unfortunate society we live in today,” he said. “We will prosecute these children to the fullest extent of the law, even though they are children. There is a totally innocent child who is no longer here and his family is going to have to suffer and live with that.”

Keane declined to comment on motive and reveal whether the suspected shooters had any criminal history, but said he believed they intended to fire the weapons.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the community should continue to reach out to young people and provide them with safe spaces. He also said parents need to pay attention to what their children are doing and know what they have in their possession.

“What makes the situation even more tragic is that the people accused of this crime are 14 and 16 years old. So literally, babies are killing babies,” Brown said. “It was inadvertent, it seemed like they were targeting someone else, but the fact that these kids had guns and were so willing to use them indiscriminately is what brings us to this point today. “

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia thanked the community and witnesses for their assistance in the investigation.

Both teens are expected to return for a pretrial conference on July 24. Both are being held without bail at the Erie County Youth Services Center.