Trial Begins for Man Accused of Shooting Victim Outside Niagara Falls Store
- Niagara Action
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Jury selection is scheduled to start Monday in the case against a Niagara Falls man accused of shooting another man outside a neighborhood convenience store last spring.
Prosecutors allege that Jalik George, 27-years-old, opened fire on Thomas Carter, 31, during a confrontation near 19th Street and Ashland Avenue on March 3rd, 2024. George was charged with 2nd-degree attempted murder, 1st-degree assault and 2nd-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted on all counts, he could face a maximum sentence totaling 50 years to life in state prison.
According to police, Niagara Falls patrol officers were in the area on an unrelated call shortly after 9:30pm when they heard two gunshots. At the same time, emergency dispatchers began receiving 911 calls reporting shots fired along the 1000 block of 19th Street.
Officers responding to the scene found Carter suffering from gunshot wounds that were described at the time as life-threatening. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel arrived on scene, but Carter was transported to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in a private vehicle before being transferred to Erie County Medical Center. He was initially listed in critical condition but later recovered.
Authorities noted that the shooting occurred as a large group of people had gathered nearby for a vigil honoring a person who had died from a drug overdose. Despite the crowd, no other injuries were reported.
Detectives with the Niagara Falls Police Department Criminal Investigation Division determined that George left the city after the shooting. Weeks later, he was located and taken into custody in South Carolina by members of the U.S. Marshals Felony Fugitive Task Force.
George was extradited back to Niagara County on a fugitive warrant to face the charges outlined in the indictment. He pleaded not guilty and has remained in custody without bail.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Shooting Victim Outside Niagara Falls Store