ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Police provided new information Monday after a Rochester youth football coach was shot during a game in Buffalo Sunday morning.
According to police, the 31-year-old youth football coach with the Flower City Panthers was shot while attending the team’s game against the GR8 Elite Ducks near the Harvey Austin Elementary School. He was taken to the hospital where he is expected to survive his injuries.
The suspect, identified by police as Buffalo resident Rashaan Mallory, 29, allegedly forced a woman into his car at gunpoint, telling her to drive to the football game. Police said another victim was in the car at the time, though they did not share details about that aspect of their investigation.
Once at the game, Mallory allegedly ordered everyone out of the car. Police said they ran into a woman in the parking lot, who the suspect then robbed of her cell phone. Mallory then ordered the Rochester coach to give him his chain. Police said the man refused to hand over the chain, at which point Mallory tried to shoot him, but his gun misfired. When the coach turned around to walk away, police said Mallory shot him in the shin and foot.
Mallory tried to flee with the female victim, at which point police caught up with him.
BPD said Mallory tried to flee in the car with the woman still inside, but officers demanded he get out. Police said he put the car into reverse, backed up, and crashed into a street sign. Police said a .9mm handgun was recovered at the crash site.
Mallory, a current parolee, faces numerous charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The Flower City Panthers was facing the GR8 Elite Ducks in northeast Buffalo. According to Buffalo police, games are not supposed to take place on Sundays without approval from the Buffalo Parks Department and the police department. The game at which the Rochester coach was shot had not been authorized.
“Games are not supposed to occur on Sundays without the approval of the City of Buffalo Parks Department and the police department, and I say and the police department,” Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said. “The games that occurred yesterday, and to the best of my knowledge there were three games that were scheduled to occur, they were not authorized. They were not authorized to play at that field and those games should not have been played yesterday. We were not aware of it.”
Police said they would meet with the football league to discuss the lapse.
Watch the full police briefing
In a statement to the community Sunday, Flower City Panthers President Philbert Daniel posted on Facebook that the coach was OK, writing:
“On behalf of Flower City Panthers, we would like to first thank God for his grace over all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the team moms, parents and coaches for keeping our children safe.
This was a random incident that could of [sic] happened anywhere. Despite what is being said, this was not a Buffalo/Rochester beef and the individual involved also kidnapped a girl and wanted for a Homicide last week
He is now in custody for the attempted robbery today on coach Rell and reckless endangerment today on top of things. It was a random guy with no team affiliations and we just happened to be there and along with others fell victim to a senseless act of violence
Coach Rell is OK let’s keep him and his family in our prayers.”
The GR8 Elite Ducks also responded Sunday, expressing sympathy regarding the situation. In a statement, the team wrote on Facebook:
“ Today On Sunday September 15 2024 , Our GR8 Family & Other Little League Teams Witness A Tragic Incident That Occurred On Our Home Field!! Although This Incident Had Nothing To Do With Our Organization & Wasn’t Under Our Control We Are Sincerely Sorry That Our Children Had To Witness Such A Senseless Act Of Gun Violence!! We Are A Organization That Has A No Gun , No Weapon & No Drug Policy! If Children Are Experiencing Any Mental Health Trauma That Is Caused By This Incident Please Feel Reach Out To Coach Rome , Coach Keion & Coach K So We Can Get Provide Them With A Mental Health Support Counselor! Moving Forward We Will Provide More Security & Police Officers To Provide A Safe & Loving Environment For Our Children!! Thank You GR8 Family For Your Support & Prayers “
Police are scheduled to share more information at 3:15 p.m.
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