Getzville Man Indicted for Fatal Shooting in Buffalo's Genesee-Moselle Neighborhood

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Jahi Pope, 23, of Getzville, was arraigned on Friday 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 Monday, July 29, 2024, at approximately 5:42 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a shooting on the 1400 block of Broadway near Liddell Street. The victim, 19-year-old Naszair E. Sanders, was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant is accused of being a participant in the fatal shooting of the victim.

Pope was held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted of the highest charge, Pope faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Keane commends Detective Sergeant Sean McCabe, Detective Jose Lorenzo, Detective Judith Walker, Detective Jerry Guilian, Detective Michelle Palamara, Officer Andrew Moffet and Office Joshua Kaczmarek of the Buffalo Police Department as well as the Amherst Police Department and Erie County Crime Analysis Center for their work in this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.