Defendant Receives Maximum Sentence for Stabbing Amherst Police Officer

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Rayquell M. Grant, 27, of Buffalo, was sentenced yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes. He received a determinate sentence of 15 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. Grant was sentenced as a second violent felony offender.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, at approximately 4:55 p.m., Amherst Police responded to a residence on the 4800 block of North Bailey Avenue after receiving a 911 call for a domestic violence-related complaint. The responding officers saw the defendant, who was armed with two large knives, climb out of a rear window. The defendant immediately ran towards one of the officers and began to stab him with the knives, knocking the officer to the ground.

The injured officer and another officer subsequently discharged their firearms, which resulted in injuries to the defendant. The officer was treated for two stab wounds to his arm. Grant was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he received treatment for gunshot wounds to his chest and arm. Our office conducted a thorough review of the officer-involved shooting and determined that the actions of the police officers were justified.

In March 2026, a jury found Grant guilty of one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class C violent felony) and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony) after approximately three hours of deliberation following a two-day trial. He was acquitted of the top count of the indictment.

"The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of this violent attack on a police officer who was responding to a domestic violence call to protect a victim in crisis. I am pleased that the Court sentenced this defendant to the maximum term allowed under the law. No officer should face this kind of brutality while carrying out their duty to keep our community safe," said Erie County DA Mike Keane.

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

The case was prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Taylor L. Yensan of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.