BUFFALO — An 18-year-old Buffalo man was arraigned on attempted murder charges on Wednesday, accused of trying to kill an on-duty Buffalo Police Department officer.

According to Acting Erie County District Attorney, Andre Fuller was also charged with first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for his role ina June 15 incident on Doat Street and Stewart Avenue.

Police say that around 11:30 p.m. Fuller was seen fleeing the scene of a robbery. Officer Anthony Fanara jumped out of his patrol car to chase down the Fuller. Officers Joseph Acquino and Bradford Pitts, who were in a separate police car, also joined the foot chase.

According to the police, “Fanara caught up with the armed suspect, wrestled him to the ground and was trying to grab the loaded .45 caliber handgun from his hands when the robber pressed the gun into Fanara’s chest twice and pulled the trigger. The gun safety was still on, and the weapon did not fire. At that time, Officer Acquino was able to knock the weapon from Fuller’s hand and the suspect was handcuffed by Officer Pitts.”

“Our community is proud of the brave work of these three officers and the Buffalo Police Department as a whole in removing the illegal weapons that are putting the lives of our citizens and our law enforcers at risk,” Flaherty said following the arraignment. “Our office is committed to taking a tough stance prosecuting these cases and sending the criminals involved to jail.”

Fuller pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail. If convicted of the charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison.




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