The Community Mourns Tragic Loss of a 3-Year-Old Child

Ramone L. Carter

There is no one in the city of Buffalo and the surrounding area who was not touched by the senseless murder of an innocent 3-year-old child. On Saturday, June 22, 2024, about 9:30 p.m., little Ramone L. Carter was riding his tricycle outdoors on Domedion Avenue, playing with his siblings and friends when shots rang out. Ramone was nicknamed “Red” by his friends and family. His mother Shakenya Griffin heard the shots and ran outside. Then she saw her son Ramone running toward her covered in blood. Her daughter Ramone’s seven-year-old sister Jamia Griffin, was grazed by a bullet. She was taken to ECMC. She will be alright, however the shock of what happened will stay with her.

Little Ramone died at the hospital. When this Columnist heard about the shooting of this child, it went to my heart. It hurt that someone would be this bold as to shoot and take the life of an innocent child. As a grandmother and great grandmother of two children under the age of three, my heart goes out to the mother of this tragic murder. Every time I see the picture of little Ramone, it tugs at my heart that this senseless violence would take his life. When interviewed, his mother said, “I will miss my son.” He liked playing with his siblings and friends. He was a joyful child who liked the Buffalo Bills and especially Josh Allen.”

His mother issued a call to stop the violence. She has been working with the Most Valuable Parents trying to bring peace in the community. This was something that she did not expect for her own son to be murdered. She thanked the anti-violence groups and the community for coming to her aid.

The Most Valuable Parents was founded by anti-violence advocate Neal Dobbins who worked for over 20 years calling a stop to violence and the eradication of drugs from our community. He passed away on May 25, 2021. We got another shock at the press conference held by the District Attorney Michael J. Keane, the Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, and Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. It was stated that two shooters were 14 and 16 years old were indicted in the shooting. Mayor Brown stated the following: “These were babies killing babies. It was inadvertent. It appeared that they were targeting someone else. But the fact that these children had guns, and were willing to use them indiscriminately, is what brings us to this point today.”

Both teens pleaded guilty and were arraigned in family court in the youth part of Erie County Court, which underlines the seriousness of the charges and potential consequences of the teens if found guilty. Both teens were remanded to the Youth Detention Center on East Ferry Street. The 14 year-old faces 7 ½ years to life in prison. The 16 year-old faces 15 years minimum to a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. Mayor Brown urged parents to know where their children are and find out what they are doing. This Columnist agrees with the Mayor. As a community, we must call for end to this violence and the proliferation of illegal guns. We must also urge parents to take their responsibility for raising their children seriously

As an educator, I am curious about the school records of these two teens and whether or not they have committed other crimes. It is my strong opinion that we must do more than teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. We need to teach conflict resolution. We also need to stress the consequences of the violence we see our youth doing. For the past several years we have witnessed fights outside of the school, more recently in the classroom, in front of the library, in the park and one person noted that in these fights the young people are really trying to hurt one another. I am calling for the community to rally around Ramone’s mother, Shakenya Griffin and give her all of the support she needs. Little Ramone’s funeral will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024.

My condolences and prayers go out to his mother and the entire family. May Ramone Rest in Peace among the angels of Heaven!!