Jury Finds Defendant Guilty for Killing 13-Year-Old Girl in Drive-By Shooting

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a jury found Avantae M. Ayala, also known as "Tay," 22, of Buffalo, guilty of 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). Jurors rendered their decision this afternoon after approximately 90 minutes of deliberation following a 5 ½-day trial, convicting the defendant of all counts in the indictment.

On Friday, July 7, 2023, at approximately 12:33 a.m., the defendant, while sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, intentionally fired one shot from an illegal pistol toward a group of teenagers who were gathered outside of an apartment on Mortimer Street near Broadway. One person was hit by gunfire. The victim, 13-year-old Miracle Hunt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Miracle Hunt was enjoying a summer night with friends when her life was tragically ended. She was an innocent bystander who became a victim of gun violence due to the actions of this defendant. I hope that her family feels justice has been served by this defendant being convicted of all charges," said District Attorney Mike Keane.

Ayala faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Keane commends Detective Erin McCarthy of the Buffalo Police Department for her work in this investigation as well as victim advocate Kimberly Rapp, and several Confidential Criminal Investigators from the Erie County District Attorney's Office, including but not limited to Salvatore Valvo.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney James L. Harrington of the Felony Trials Bureau.