Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old Ramon L. Lopez of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio on one count of Gang Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony). Yesterday afternoon, 20-year-old Yeramell Benitez of Buffalo was also arraigned before Judge LoTempio on one count of Gang Assault in the First Degree.
It is alleged that on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendants were involved in a group assault on the victim while inside of a bathroom at Club Marcella, located on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The male victim, who suffered a gunshot during the attack, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he remains hospitalized with serious physical injuries.
Lopez and Benitez are scheduled to return on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Both defendants were held without bail.
If convicted of the charge, Lopez and Benitez faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III 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.
