Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Shayne S. Ganoe, 33, of Cheektowaga, was arraigned this morning before Amherst Town Court Justice Ann Nichols on the following offenses:
- One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class “D” felonies)
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)
- One count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Class “E” felony)
- Two counts of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
It is alleged that on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Amherst Police responded to a report of shots fired the area of Hopkins Road and Randwood Drive. The defendant allegedly fired multiple shots from an illegal gun into the victims’ occupied vehicle. The defendant is accused of committing the crime while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection issued by a West Seneca Town Court Justice. The occupants were not injured during the incident, but the gunfire caused damage to the vehicle.
Ganoe is scheduled to return on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing before Amherst Town Court Justice Jeffrey E. Marion. He was held without bail. Temporary orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims.
If convicted of the highest charge, Ganoe faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Keane commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kurt C. Snuszka of the Justice Courts Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Rachel M. Vicario of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.