11-Year-Old Girl Hospitalized After Accidental Shooting in Buffalo; 37-Year-Old Man Faces Multiple Charges
BUFFALO, New York** — An 11-year-old girl was hospitalized Wednesday night after being accidentally shot on East Lovejoy Street in Buffalo, prompting a police investigation that resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old man accused of illegally possessing a firearm and failing to store it safely around children.
According to the Buffalo Police Department, officers began investigating after the child arrived at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with gunshot wounds to her arm and chest.
Authorities reported that the girl’s injuries were **not considered life-threatening**. She was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.
## Police Investigation Leads to Arrest
Following the initial report, detectives with the Buffalo Police Department’s Gun Violence Unit began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Investigators focused on the 900 block of East Lovejoy Street, where police said they recovered a loaded Luger 9mm handgun with a defaced marking, along with suspected crack cocaine.
According to investigators, evidence gathered during the inquiry indicated that the firearm had not been safely stored despite children being present. Police allege that the unsafe handling and storage of the illegally possessed weapon led to the child being accidentally shot.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about the dangers of leaving loaded firearms unsecured in places where children may be able to reach them.
## 37-Year-Old Man Charged
Police identified the suspect as **Ernesto Ramos-Lopez, 37, of Buffalo**. He was arrested and charged with several offenses connected to the investigation.
The reported charges include:
– Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
– Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
– Endangering the welfare of a child.
– Failure to safely store a firearm in the first degree.
– Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
– Criminal tampering in the third degree.
The charges stem from allegations concerning the firearm, its storage and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The allegations must be addressed through the criminal justice process, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
## A Serious Reminder About Firearm Safety
Although authorities described the shooting as accidental, the incident demonstrates how quickly an unsecured firearm can turn into a life-threatening emergency.
Children may not understand the dangers associated with a loaded weapon. Keeping firearms unloaded when appropriate, locked securely, and inaccessible to children can help prevent accidental shootings and other devastating incidents.
The investigation also highlights the potential legal consequences of allegedly possessing an illegal firearm and failing to secure it safely when children are present.
## Investigation Continues
Buffalo police have not publicly released additional details about the exact sequence of events that led to the shooting. The available reports also do not provide further information about the child’s identity or subsequent medical condition.
The case remains a reminder of the importance of responsible firearm storage and protecting children from preventable harm.
Our thoughts are with the young girl and her family as she recovers from this frightening incident.
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