BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office says two teenagers have been sentenced after a shooting in Buffalo's Schiller Park neighborhood killed 3-year-old Ramone "Red" Carter and injured his sister.
On June 21, 2024, the DA's Office says two children were shot outside on Domedion Avenue. Carter was shot in his back and taken in a police patrol vehicle to ECMC, where he later died just two weeks before his 4th birthday. His 7-year-old sister was grazed by a bullet and taken to Oishei Children's Hospital, where she was treated for a back injury.
Buffalo Police arrested two teenagers a few blocks away from the scene who were wearing the same shoes and clothes as the witness descriptions. One of the teenagers was found in possession of an illegal handgun at the time of his arrest.
According to the DA, before the shooting, the teenagers approached a group of boys, and one of the teenagers shot towards the group. The two children, who were not the intended targets, were shot. The DA determined that two guns were used, but the second weapon was not recovered.
WATCH: 3-year-old killed, 7-year-old injured in Buffalo shooting
Family members packed the courtroom for the proceedings on Friday.
The defense attorneys pleaded for leniency, arguing the teenagers were just children themselves when they shot Carter. However, Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan rejected that argument, telling them, "You are not the victims here."
Jahaan Taylor, who was 14 at the time, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, and Elijah Mumford, who was 16 at the time, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
"Ramone 'Red' Carter was an innocent victim of gun violence perpetrated by two teenagers in possession of illegal firearms," District Attorney Mike Keane said. "I commend the surviving victim for her courageous actions on the day of this crime and for bravely testifying before a jury. I also want to acknowledge the responding officers who rendered immediate aid to 'Red' and those who swiftly apprehended the suspects moments after the shooting."
WATCH: 'You are not the victims here': 2 Buffalo teens sentenced in killing of 3-year-old Ramone Carter
One of the most gut-wrenching moments came when Ramone's aunt, Kimberly Adams, delivered her victim impact statement about her nephew, who she said wasn't old enough to tie his shoes.
She described being in the hospital room when Carter died, "the doctor said 9:51, that was his time of death. The whole room, everyone was crying, the nurses, the doctors, everyone was just devastated to see a baby lying there lifeless."
Carter's mother, Shakenya Griffin, expressed her pain.
"I don't have my son," she said. "So even though they're going to be in jail, they're still living, and I don't have my son. And I always wanted to have a baby boy, and my baby boy is gone. He's with me, but he's not here with me at all."
Shakira Campbell, his older sister, described Carter as being like a son to her.
"He was just gone too soon. He was like a son to me, even though that was my brother, but I looked at him as if he was my son, like a baby I always wanted," she said.
The teenagers were tried under laws for defendants under the age of 18, but will serve time in an adult prison after they turn 21.
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