Teenage Girl Arraigned for Injuring Innocent Bystander in Shooting in Buffalo's Emerson Neighborhood

Monday, June 24, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 18-year-old Cecelia Medina, also known as Cecelia Speed, of no permanent address was arraigned yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on the following offenses:

• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class "B" violent felony)
• Two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class "C" violent felonies)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony)
• One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class "D" felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class "D" felony)

It is alleged that on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the defendant, with the intent to cause the death or serious physical injuries to another person, intentionally fired multiple shots from an illegal handgun into an occupied vehicle. The alleged crime occurred on the 1600 block of Bailey Avenue near Pullman Place in the City of Buffalo. The two occupants of the vehicle, who were not injured in the shooting, reported the incident to police.

It is further alleged that the defendant, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to another person. The defendant is accused of attempting to cause the death of a female victim who was not the intended target. The victim, an innocent bystander, was hit by gunfire while standing near a window inside of her apartment. The injured victim, a 53-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she remains hospitalized for gunshot wound to her lower abdomen.

Responding officers allegedly witnessed the defendant, who matched the description provided by the uninjured victims, in possession of what appeared to be a gun while running away from the scene of the crime. The officers allegedly recovered an illegal, loaded handgun with an extended magazine in the defendant's flight path. The handgun was submitted into evidence for further testing.

It is also alleged that the defendant, while being finger printed at Buffalo Police Central Booking, falsely signed her name as "Cecelia Speed" and altered her birthdate with the intent to defraud and deceive police and conceal her real identity.

Medina is scheduled to return on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. She was held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Medina faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

"The defendant is accused of injuring an innocent bystander while firing shots at an occupied vehicle in the middle of the afternoon. Thankfully, the victim survived and no one else was injured. I commend the members of the Buffalo Police who quickly responded to the scene and apprehended the suspect. Gun-related violence will not be tolerated. I encourage anyone with information on individuals in possession of illegal weapons to contact my office or the Buffalo Police Department," said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.

Acting DA Keane commends Detective Ryan Crespo, Detective Richard Cruz, Detective Vatasha Tibbs, Officer Michael Scheu and Officer Brian Walter for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the Major Crimes Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.