Teen Indicted for Firing Illegal Gun Inside Home, Injuring Child Hit by Stray Bullet

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Markus J. Wright, 19, of Buffalo, was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D violent felony)
• One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class D felony)

It is alleged that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a shooting on the first block of Hager Street. The defendant is accused of possessing an illegal firearm, equipped with a large capacity feeding device, that was discharged during a domestic dispute. The defendant is accused of recklessly engaging in conduct, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person.

According to the allegations, the bullet initially grazed the foot of an adult victim, a 34-year-old male, then traveled through the floor into the first-floor apartment. The adult victim was taken in a private vehicle to ECMC where he was treated for an injury to his foot.

After the bullet struck the adult victim, the bullet continued through the ceiling of the first-floor apartment and hit a 6-year-old child who was asleep. This child was taken by ambulance to Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo to receive treatment for an injury to their left shoulder.

Wright is scheduled to return on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail. Temporary orders of protection remain in effect.

If convicted of the highest count, Wright faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force for their work in this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. 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.