Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 36-year-old Salvatore S. Rizzo of Hamburg was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at approximately 10:18 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal gun inside of a business on Botsford Place in the City of Buffalo. The defendant was arrested a short time later at his residence in the Town of Hamburg. During the investigation, police allegedly found a loaded, illegal gun inside of the defendant’s vehicle.
The victim, 40-year-old Slavisa “Slav” Stojanovic, was taken by ambulance to ECMC with injuries to his head and neck. Stojanovic later died at the hospital on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Rizzo is scheduled to return on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Rizzo faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Flynn commends Detective Sergeant Carl Lundin, Detective Ray Krug, Lieutenant Autumn Harrison and Officer Walter Skrzynski of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the Major Crimes Unit and Assistant District Attorney Michael J. McHale of the ERPO/Raise the Age Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
