Gang violence has been a source of a variety of crimes in Buffalo for decades, including violent murders. I grew up in Arizona, where gun violence carried out by gangs was rampant in the 1980s and 1990s. We had Bloods, Crips, and a plethora of Mexican gangs. In high school, I knew many of my peers who were murdered in cold blood by rival gangs. I have personally been in the vicinity of about 3 to 4 shootouts. I remember we were at a fast-food restaurant called Jack-n-the-Box after a party, when some gang members came in waving a gun and threatening to shoot everyone because they were looking for a rival gang member. It's definitely a traumatic part of my earlier life.

In Buffalo, there doesn't seem to be many Crips or Bloods, the gangs are more neighborhood or housing projects affiliated. According to WGRZ,

The FBI estimates there are between 40 and 50 street gangs in Buffalo with roughly 800 members.

- CBL/BFL (Cash Been Long and Brothers for Life)
- Fruit Belt Gang
- Central Park Gang
- 10th Street Gang
- Seventh Street Gang
- Schuele Boys Gang
- Cash Money Gang

These are just a few of the known gangs in Buffalo.  Here are just some of the criminal activities and murders committed by the gangs listed above:

July 4, 2020
Fruit Belt Gang vs. Central Park Gang

Just a couple of days after the murder of a rival gang member, Fruit Belt Gang members Antwaine Parker and Michael Woods were shot. Police believe the incident was tied to their rivalry with the Central Park Gang.

July 1, 2020
Fruit Belt Gang vs. Central Park Gang

A man was killed near Canisius High School during a deadly shootout with Fruit Belt Gang members.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Mario K. Washington of Buffalo has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony.

 

It is alleged that on July 1, 2020, at approximately 9:53 p.m., the defendant shot [the man] as he was seated in a vehicle in a parking lot on the 1200 block of Delaware Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim died at the scene. ~ Erie District Attorney's Office

* I had a very insightful conversation with the mother and grandfather of the victim.  They have suffered two tragic losses and would like young people to be aware of how social media can add flame to the fire when it comes to violence.

October 20, 2020
Central Park Gang

Winston Reese was killed by two members of the Central Park Gang. The shooters have since been murdered themselves. Raquan Reid, the alleged getaway driver has been indicted in the murder. He's charged with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

September 15 and 16, 2019
Cash Money Gang

Cash Money Gang kingpin Jariel Cobb, a/k/a Doobie and, a/k/a Black, 47, of Buffalo allegedly murdered three people - Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon, Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred. They also allegedly stole cocaine, cell telephones, and a white Chrysler Pacifica minivan from the victims. On June 23, 2006, Cobb was arrested along with 18 other members and associates of the gang. He served 10-years in prison back then. Fast forward to the murders in 2019, Cobb, Wilson, and James Reed, a/k/a Fatts, 38, of Buffalo, are accused of burning the bodies of Valentin-Colon and Merced-Plaud in a minivan, and mutilating and burning the body of Roman-Audiffred.

December 5, 2015
CBL/BFL

Dalvon Curry, a CBL/BFL gang member, was accused of murdering Jaquan Sullivan, according to the testimony of a fellow gang member, Raekwon Green.

September 21, 2015
CBL/BFL

Miquise Jones, a/k/a Scaife, 24, of Buffalo, drove a vehicle with three other gang members at East Ferry Street. One of the gang members got out of the vehicle and began firing shots at a rival gang member, only identified as Victim L, who ran into a store to try to avoid being shot. Jones' co-defendant entered the store and continued to fire a gun at the victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to his arm. Approximately 20 minutes later Jones drove to Genesee and Crossman Streets where another co-defendant shot another rival gang member, only identified as Victim K.

August 21, 2015
CBL/BFL

Miquise Jones, a/k/a Scaife, 24, of Buffalo, was the driver in a shooting on Dodge Street Buffalo with two other gang members. The defendants shot at a rival gang member, only identified as Victim J, in retaliation for the shooting of Larell Watkins.

January 1, 2013
CBL/BFL Gang

CBL/BFL Gang member Dalvon Curry has also been convicted of the murder of Xavier Wimes. The Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul C. Parisi and Seth T. Molisani, and Christopher O. Taylor, of the Department of Justice Organized Crime and Gang Section who prosecuted Curry, announced that he has been sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years for the two murders.

Dalvon Curry, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering; racketeering and narcotics conspiracy; possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

August 30, 2012
Schuele Boys Gang

Roderick Arrington was convicted of the fatal shooting of Quincy Balance, a/k/a Shooter, at the intersection of Northland and Stevens in Buffalo. Arrington believed that "Shooter" had killed another member of the Schuele Boys. Arrington is serving a life sentence for murder in aid of racketeering.

May 6, 2011
10th Street Gang and Seventh Street Gang

Local police and the FBI arrested eight members of the gangs, which they say have been the sources of crime on the West side of Buffalo for decades, according to the Buffalo Police Commissioner at the time, Daniel Derenda,

"Numerous homicides, numerous shootings back and forth over the years. They've been in existence for many years, and I can't tell you, countless homicides countless shootings, terrorizing neighborhoods, the whole West side."

August 12, 2009
10th Street Gang

Kyle Eagan, 27, of Buffalo, and a fellow 10th Street Gang member shot a victim, who ultimately survived, nine times.

September 15, 2008
10th Street Gang

Kyle Eagan, 27, of Buffalo and another 10th Street Gang member shot at a group of rival 7th Street Gang members. Omar Fraticello-Lugo died in the incident. Eagan was convicted of Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) and Murder in Aid of Racketeering. In 2016 he was sentenced to 265 months in prison.

May 21, 2006
East Side gang (No gang name specified)

Kevin Allen, 38, aka Killer Kev, of Buffalo, and his associate Rickie "Rock" Scott were convicted in the murder of Lamar D. Williams. Both gang members were attempting to carry out a contract killing but killed Williams by mistake. He was driving down Pearl Street in a minivan that resembled the intended victim's vehicle. Both were sentenced to 25 years to life. Subsequently, Allen was also sentenced to 300 months in prison after being convicted of multiple RICO, drug, and gun charges.

These are just some of the many incidents of violence carried out by gang members and their associates in Buffalo.  Stay tuned for part two!

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