On a cold January evening in Buffalo, New York, gunfire shattered the quiet of an east side neighborhood. Willie Ward, a 20-year-old Black / African American man, was shot on the 100 block of Keystone Street around 10:45 p.m. on January 18, 2017.
Emergency services responded to the scene and rushed Mr. Ward to the Erie County Medical Center. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. His death marked the seventh homicide in the city of Buffalo just weeks into the new year.
The Buffalo Police Department launched an investigation into the fatal shooting. A week after the incident, on January 26, 2017, authorities officially identified the victim as Willie Ward.
Police appealed to the public for assistance in solving the crime.
To date, no arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly named in connection with Mr. Ward's death. The case remains unsolved as of January 2017. Authorities encourage anyone with information to call or text the department's confidential TIPCALL Line at 716-847-2255.
