Mother of 3-year-old boy who was killed pleads with community to stop the violence

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The mother of the three-year-old boy who was killed after a shooting on Domedion Avenue Friday night is pleading with the community to end the violence.

The boy’s mother, Shakenya Griffin, said she’s heartbroken, sad and misses her son.

Three-year-old Ramone Carter was riding his tricycle when he was shot. He was with his seven-year-old sister, Jamiah, who was grazed by gunfire. She has recovered from her injuries.

Griffin said her son was full of life and loved the Buffalo Bills. He was a few days away from his fourth birthday.

“He liked to dance, he loved his siblings,” she said. “He was really close with Jamiah. This really takes the whole cake off of me. This is hurtful. It really is.”

Griffin is a member of Most Valuable Parents, an organization that advocates for safer neighborhoods. She helps parents who have lost children to gun violence, but she never thought she would lose one of her own.

“The violence got to stop. This is ridiculous,” Griffin said. “I’m hearing it every day, people getting shot and stuff. It’s just gotta stop. Period. I would never think that I would have to go through it myself. I miss my son. I really miss him. This is really too much for me.”

She said the community, other anti-violence groups and family members are helping her through this difficult time.

“This is really too much and stuff. The violence really got to stop here,” Griffin said. “I always wanted a son, got my son and now I don’t have a son.”

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.