Buffalo Firefighter Facing Life in Prison for Murdering Man

A former Buffalo firefighter is facing a lifetime prison sentence for allegedly murdering a man. The first responder, 24-year-old Blake M. Banks, was arraigned on the morning of July 21, 2021. Banks is accused of shooting and killing a 40-year-old man on Broadway near Bennett Street in Buffalo, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. A dispute of some sort happened around 1 pm causing the shooting. The victim tried to leave the scene in his vehicle but ended up crashing it. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center, where he died. Banks was off-duty at the time the shooting occurred. He is due back in court on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. He is currently being held without bail. Banks is facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted of a murder charge.

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Governor Cuomo Allocates $16 Million to Fight Gun Violence

The shooting above is just one of many that have been happening in Western New York and all over the State of New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced an initiative that will allocate $16 million to workforce training and job placement programs in 20 cities across the state. The governor said,

"Gun violence is a public health crisis, in New York State and across the country, and we're attacking it with the same comprehensive, evidence-based approach we used to beat COVID. We know that simply telling kids to put the gun down doesn't work—we have to give them an alternative. This new funding, for job training and stable, good-paying career placement opportunities for our most vulnerable young people across New York State, does just that."

Under the plan, Buffalo will receive $2,650,000 to serve 530 young people. Niagara Falls will get $250,000 to help 50 youth.

You can read more about the initiative here.