URGENT UPDATE: Two teenagers have been sentenced for their roles in the tragic shooting death of 3-year-old Ramone ‘Red’ Carter, who was playing outside his home in Buffalo. The sentencing, delivered after a harrowing trial, underscores the devastating impact of gun violence on innocent lives.
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 9:30 PM, young Ramone was fatally shot in the back while riding his tricycle alongside his 7-year-old sister. The incident occurred when the teens, Jahaan Taylor, now 16, and Elijah Mumford, now 17, fired indiscriminately at a group of young men, missing their intended targets but hitting the vulnerable siblings instead. Ramone died later at a hospital, while his sister sustained a grazing wound but survived the ordeal.
Authorities apprehended the suspects just minutes after the shooting, thanks to witness descriptions. An illegal handgun was recovered from one of the teens. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that both teens faced serious charges, leading to their convictions.
Following a four-day trial that concluded in October 2025, the jury deliberated for just five hours before delivering a verdict. Taylor received a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison, the maximum penalty for a juvenile offender, after being found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Assault. Mumford was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, after being convicted of Manslaughter in the First Degree and Assault.
District Attorney Mike Keane expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating,
“Ramone ‘Red’ Carter was an innocent victim of gun violence perpetrated by two teenagers in possession of illegal firearms.”
He praised the courage of the surviving sibling for testifying during the trial and commended the swift actions of the police who responded to the scene.
The emotional toll of the incident continues to weigh heavily on the family. Ramone’s mother, Shakenya Griffin, shared her heartbreak following the sentencing.
“I don’t have my son. So even though they’re going to be in jail, they’re still living, and I don’t have my son,”
she stated. Griffin reflected on her hopes for her child, saying, “I always wanted to have a baby boy, and my baby boy is gone.”
Ramone’s older sister, Shakria Campbell, also expressed her profound grief.
“He was like a son to me… I just feel like I should have been there as the older sibling,”
she said, revealing the pain of witnessing her brother’s tragic fate.
The case highlights the urgent need for action against gun violence, especially impacting children. As communities grapple with the aftermath of such senseless acts, the voices of families affected by gun violence continue to call for change.
As the community mourns the loss of young Ramone, the legal implications for the convicted teens raise critical questions about youth involvement in gun violence and the justice system’s response. The case serves as a grim reminder of the lives forever altered by gun-related incidents.
Watch for further developments in this ongoing issue as advocacy for stricter gun control measures gains momentum, aiming to prevent future tragedies.
