Teens Convicted in Killing of 3-year-old Ramone Carter

Two teenagers have been found guilty on multiple charges connected to the death of 3-year-old Ramone Cartercwho was fatally shot during a neighborhood gathering in 2024.

A jury convicted a 16-year-old defendant, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, of second-degree murder, attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. A second teen, now 17, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of first-degree manslaughter and assault. He was cleared of attempted murder and weapons possession.

Jurors reached their verdicts just before 10am Wednesday following nearly a weeklong trial and roughly seven hours of deliberation.

Carter was killed on June 21st, 2024, while playing outside on Domedian Avenue during a family gathering. The child’s 7-year-old sister, who was also outside, was grazed by a bullet and testified during the trial. She is now 9 years old.

“These cases are awful, they’re horrific,” Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said during a press conference after the verdict. “I can’t even imagine how the families feel in these cases. These are innocent little babies.”

Prosecutors argued that Carter and his sister were never the intended targets. Instead, the teens had been aiming at a group of five males in the area that night. The teenagers were arrested a short time later just a few blocks from the scene. Defense attorneys urged jurors to consider whether the actions of the teens met the threshold of intentional murder.

“The jury did a very thoughtful and what we believe very careful work in their deliberations,” Keane added.

The shooting shocked the community and reignited discussion about gun violence in Buffalo. Carter’s mother, Shakenya Griffin, has since become an outspoken advocate, working with the group Most Valuable Parents to support families and children impacted by violence.

Both defendants remain held without bail. The 16-year-old faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison while the 17-year-old could receive up to 25 years. Sentencing is scheduled for January 20th, 2026.

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Teens Convicted in Killing of 3-year-old Ramone Carter