(WNY News Now) – A Buffalo woman faces a murder indictment in connection to the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man in the city’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Latrice T. Purdie, 29, of Buffalo, was arraigned Thursday morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on charges stemming from a fatal shooting in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that Purdie is charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-I” felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” violent felony.
The charges arise from an incident on the evening of Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Buffalo Police responded to a report of a shooting near Wade Avenue and Holden Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, 39-year-old Akeem Cortez, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities allege that Purdie intentionally shot Cortez using an illegal firearm.
Purdie is being held without bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. If convicted of the highest charge, she could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Acting DA Keane praised Detectives Thomas Nunan and Rita Ruffin of the Buffalo Police Department for their investigative efforts. Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case.
As in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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