Buffalo police are investigating a deadly overnight shooting in north Buffalo.
Detectives say a 46-year-old man from Buffalo was shot during a fight on the front patio of Del Denby Tavern just after 1 a.m. on the 1500 block of Hertel Avenue near Parkside. The victim was taken to ECMC, where he later died. Buffalo Police closed down the bar Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday, police identified the victim as 46-year-old Madjid Elbert of Buffalo.
Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Craig Macy says the deadly shooting at the bar was not “random."
"They were inside having drinks together and then they went outside and got into an argument and then started fighting,” explained Macy. “The main thing that I would like to stress is that both victim and suspect, in this case, are known to each other through the investigation, we can support that."
The chief of detectives said there is a lot of video footage from nearby cameras and witnesses, but no arrest has been made at this time.
"The investigation is supportive that they were together or a portion of the night in very close conversations,” stated Macy. “There's a lot of digital evidence that has been recovered not only from the private cameras but as well as the city camera that is on that corner.”
But as of late Tuesday afternoon, no arrest was made.
"It's nothing that we promote here. It's nothing like you know, it, that is not our crowd, and, you know, it's just a shame,” replied John Daly, bar owner. “This senseless violence is just a shame.”
Bar owner John Daly showed up at his bar Tuesday afternoon calling it a “terrible” and “senseless” act.
"This place last night was filled with kids who work up and down Hertel. Their restaurants closed; their kitchens closed. They come down here and have a drink and say hello to friends and you know that's when I stopped here last night. I got the phone call and they're all in there crying and holding each other, so no one wants to see this,” reflected Daly.
I asked the chief of detectives what his message is to this Hertel Avenue and North Buffalo community about this latest round of gun violence.
“I would say to the community that these situations, as we've seen can happen anywhere, and the one big takeaway is that they were known to each other. This is not a random act,” responded Macy.
A woman who lives next to the bar, who didn't want to go on camera, tells me she heard the "gunshot." She says Hertel is often rowdy in the overnight hours, but the gun culture frightens her.
"And so many people are already looking at us like, like, this was our fault and, you know, it really isn't,” Daly replied. “And people were watching basketball and having a good time and someone ran in the bar and said duck.”
I asked Buffalo Police if there were past troubles at the bar. Buffalo Police say there was a shooting in June of 2021 and that they have had multiple calls for other incidents at that location in the past.
“There is a previous shooting there…shots fired, there's been fights, things of that nature,” noted Macy.
Macy says the police department and other city entities have started a review process of the bar.
I also reached out to the New York State Liquor Authority to inquire about the shooting. Here is the response I received:
"The State Liquor Authority is aware of reports of a shooting that took place in Buffalo. If it's determined there was a violation of ABC Law, appropriate charges will be issued and handled through SLA's disciplinary process."
Patrick Garrett, Public Information Specialist, New York State Liquor Authority
The bar was open early Tuesday afternoon, but by late Tuesday afternoon, a police spokesman said the city was shutting down the door and posted a "Cease All Operations" sign on the front door. It states "Closing of Tavern in preservation of peace & good order" and "Closing of Tavern at Direction of BPD".
Daly says he is very sorry for the loss of the Buffalo man and that his “thoughts and prayers” are with his family.
“This violence has just got to stop. People need to love and respect and that's, that's all I can say,” stated Daly.
Anyone with information is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at (716) 847-2255.
