On the night of June 21, 2024, a family gathering in Buffalo, New York turned into a scene of horror when a shooting incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., taking the life of a three-year-old boy and injuring his seven-year-old sister.
The victims, three-year-old Ramone Carter and his sister, Jamia Griffin, were at a family event when the shooting took place. They were reportedly not the intended targets, as per local media reports.
Ramone was immediately transported to the Erie County Medical Center by the police, where he was later declared dead. His sister, Jamia, also a victim, is expected to make a full recovery. The incident prompted Mayor Byron Brown to comment on the pressing issue of illegal firearms in the city, stating, “I’m heartbroken today.”
In a news conference, Mayor Brown narrated the horrifying incident, “A three-year-old boy was enjoying a summer evening with his family, riding his tricycle with his seven-year-old sister beside him, when suddenly, gunfire broke out, hitting both children.”
Two teens, one armed with a revolver and the other with a pistol, have been indicted in relation to the incident. Michael Keane, Acting Erie County District Attorney, announced that the adolescents, aged 14 and 16, are facing charges that include murder, attempted murder, assault, and possession of weapons.
The identities of the accused have not been disclosed due to their minor status. During the announcement of the charges, Mayor Brown commented, “Babies killing babies,” and mentioned that the suspects were allegedly firing at a different person when the children got caught in the crossfire.
Shakenya Griffin, the mother of Ramone and Jamia, recounted the traumatic moments following the shooting. “He ran right to me, and he was full of blood,” she shared with the media. “I crumpled onto my neighbor’s yard and screamed for someone to call 911.” Her grief and shock echo the sentiments of many in the community grappling with this senseless act of violence.
Ramone’s eldest sister, Martina Carter, remembered him as an “amazing kid” who “didn’t harm anyone.” She expressed her disbelief, “I could never have imagined that a three-year-old playing outside at a graduation party would be caught in a crossfire, shot, and killed.”
The community is rallying behind the bereaved family, with numerous individuals expressing their condolences and calling for an end to the violence that plagues the city.
Mayor Brown, along with other city officials, has pledged to intensify their efforts to curb the spread of illegal firearms and to ensure the safety of all residents.