Amherst Woman Injured in Officer-Involved Shooting Indicted on Menacing Charges

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Tonisha Green, 26, of Amherst, was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment. Green has been charged with four counts of Menacing a Police Officer (Class D violent felonies) one count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class A misdemeanor). Judge Bargnesi unsealed the indictment and arraigned the defendant at ECMC where she remains hospitalized.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Amherst Police responded to an apartment complex on Durham Drive to follow up on a menacing complaint from the previous day. It is alleged that on Monday, October 27, 2025, the defendant intentionally placed a civilian victim in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by displaying a knife.

It is further alleged that on Tuesday, at approximately 11:00 a.m., police officers encountered the defendant, who was allegedly armed with a knife, outside of her apartment. Over the course of several hours, the defendant allegedly made threats toward the officers and refused numerous commands by police to drop the weapon as they attempted to de-escalate the situation. The defendant is accused of intentionally placing the four police officers in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by displaying a knife during the course of performing their official duties.

During the incident, an officer subsequently discharged his firearm, which resulted in injuries to the defendant. The officers immediately rendered first aid to the defendant until she was transported to ECMC to be treated for injuries to her abdomen and ankle. No police officers were injured during the incident. The knife was recovered and placed into evidence.

"My office conducted a thorough review of this officer-involved critical incident. We have determined that the actions of the police officers were legally justified. The members of the Amherst Police Department involved in this incident reasonably believed they were facing deadly physical force," said Erie County DA Mike Keane.

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

DA Keane commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The cases are being prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan and Assistant District Attorney Samantha King of the Major Crimes Bureau.

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