An 18-year-old Buffalo man has been arraigned by Erie County Court Judge Thomas Franczyk on an indictment charging him with attempted murder in the first degree of an officer, attempted robbery in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

The suspect, Andre Fuller, was apparently spotted fleeing the scene of a robbery on June 15th by Buffalo Police Officer Anthony Fanara. Fanara reportedly chased down the suspect on foot. He was joined by Officers Joseph Acquino and Bradford Pitts who were in a separate police car, according to a press release from the office of Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr..

Fanara caught up with the armed suspect, wrestled him to the ground and was trying to grab the loaded .45 caliber handgun from his hands when the robber reportedly pressed the gun into Fanara’s chest twice and pulled the trigger, according to the release.

The gun safety was still on, and the weapon did not fire.

At that time, Officer Acquino was able to knock the weapon from Fuller’s hand and the suspect was handcuffed by Officer Pitts.

Our community is proud of the brave work of these three officers and the Buffalo Police Department as a whole in removing the illegal weapons that are putting the lives of our citizens and our law enforcers at risk,” says acting District Attorney Flaherty in the release. “Our office is committed to taking a tough stance prosecuting these cases and sending the criminals involved to jail.”

Fuller pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail.

If convicted of the charges, Fuller faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

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