Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Moises Cortijo, Jr., 48, of Buffalo, was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes 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 Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a shooting on the 300 block of Busti Avenue. The victim, 35-year-old David Ortiz-Ramos, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was pronounced dead. The defendant is accused of being a participant in the fatal shooting of the victim.
Cortijo was held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
If convicted of the highest charge, Cortijo faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Keane commends Detective Mark White and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexander J. Trunfio of the Domestic Violence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
