BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo man faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in December for the deadly shooting of a 13-year-old girl.
22-year-old Avantae Ayala was found guilty of Murder and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Jurors made their decision after 90 minutes of deliberation following a five and a half day trial.
The shooting happened on July 7, 2023, outside of an apartment on Mortimer Street near Broadway. Ayala was in the front passenger seat of a vehicle and fired a shot from an illegal pistol toward a group of teenagers who were gathered outside of the apartment. The bullet hit and killed 13-year-old Miracle Hunt.
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“Miracle Hunt was enjoying a summer night with friends when her life was tragically ended," said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. "She was an innocent bystander who became a victim of gun violence due to the actions of this defendant. I hope that her family feels justice has been served by this defendant being convicted of all charges."
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Ayala will return to court on December 22 to be sentenced. He faces 40 years to life behind bars.
