Unthinkable Tragedy: 3-Year-Old Fatally Shot in Buffalo, Community in Shock!

The Buffalo community is reeling after the tragic and senseless shooting death of 3-year-old Ramone Carter on Dominion Avenue. The incident occurred on a warm Friday night, a time when residents typically gather outside to enjoy the summer weather. Waldemar Viera and his fiancé were among those soaking in the evening, sitting on their front porch and appreciating their neighborhood.

What started as a peaceful evening quickly turned into chaos. “All of a sudden, we just started hearing shooting, and these guys walk across the street, and everybody started running,” Viera said. The couple, captured on surveillance footage, are seen diving for cover as gunfire erupts nearby. In the same video, two individuals are observed fleeing from the scene, further emphasizing the sudden and violent nature of the event. Viera promptly handed over the footage to the Buffalo Police Department to aid their investigation.

Ramone Carter and his 7-year-old sister were tragically caught in the crossfire. Carter was fatally wounded and later died at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). His sister, although less severely injured, was grazed by a bullet. The harrowing incident has left the neighborhood in a state of mourning and disbelief.

A makeshift memorial has been established on Dominion Avenue, featuring photos of the young boy, stuffed animals, and candles. The memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the innocent life lost and the grief that permeates the community. Carter’s family held a vigil on Saturday night, bringing together neighbors and friends to honor his memory and support one another in this difficult time.

The normally vibrant neighborhood has been enveloped in a sad quietness since the shooting. Rose, a nearby resident, noted the palpable change, saying that the entire block feels as though it is in mourning. The community’s grief is compounded by a profound sense of bewilderment and sorrow.

Waldemar Viera and his fiancé dive for cover after witnessing the shooting on Domedion Avenue from their front porch. Viera tells 2 On Your Side he’s shaken by the event and sending condolences to his neighbors.

As a father he can’t imagine losing his son. @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/lIa5Q2E31c

— Robert Hackford (@Robert_Hackford) June 24, 2024

Before the incident, Viera and his fiancé often spoke about how much they loved their street and the sense of community it provided. However, the violent event has shaken their sense of security and left them questioning why such a tragedy had to occur. “The fact that anybody in their right mind gets the idea ‘hey let me just shoot’ when there are a lot of kids out here playing around… it’s sad,” Viera expressed with frustration and sorrow.

During a press conference on Saturday, city officials provided updates on the investigation. Buffalo Police have interviewed two individuals connected to the shooting and have recovered a firearm from the scene. Despite these efforts, no arrests had been made as of Monday night, leaving the community anxious for justice and answers.

In response to the incident, Crimestoppers has announced a $7,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. This incentive aims to encourage anyone with knowledge of the event to come forward and assist in the investigation, underscoring the collective desire for accountability and peace.

Viera’s reflections on the incident capture the deep emotional impact it has had on the community. “I would love for young guys to be able to have the right mind in their head; you don’t do that when there are kids around; you don’t do that, period.

If you have an issue with the person, go talk; you know there are lots of ways to solve issues instead of just shooting around,” he implored. His words resonate as a call for peace and a rejection of the violence that has disrupted their lives.

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The death of Ramone Carter is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence, particularly when it affects the most vulnerable members of the community. As Buffalo grapples with this loss, the hope remains that justice will be served and that such a tragedy will never happen again.