Teen Pleads Guilty to All Charges for Injuring Victim in Shooting Outside Depew Plaza

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that an 18-year-old male from Depew pleaded guilty on Monday afternoon before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman to one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class B violent felonies), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony), and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony). The adolescent offender pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the adolescent offender, with the intent to cause the death of another person, shot the victim with an illegal gun outside of a store on the 5100 block of Broadway in the Village of Depew. The victim, a 20-year-old female, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for serious physical injuries. The adolescent offender, who was 17-years-old at the time of the crime, was arrested by police later that night.

The adolescent offender is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. He remains held without bail in the custody of the Erie County Youth Services Center. A temporary order of protection issued on behalf of the victim remains in effect.

DA Keane commends the Depew Police Department for their work in this investigation and the Lancaster Police Department for their assistance.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Noha A. Elnakib and Assistant District Attorney Taylor L. Yensan of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.