Buffalo man sentenced for kidnapping victim at gunpoint, shooting another victim during crime spree

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane recently announced Rashaan K. Mallory, 30, of Buffalo, was sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case. Mallory received a determinate sentence of 13 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at approximately 11 a.m., the defendant, while armed with an illegal gun, forced a female victim into the backseat of his vehicle on Moselle Street in the City of Buffalo. During the kidnapping, the defendant forcibly stole the victim’s cell phone, which prevented her from calling for help. The defendant then drove with the victim inside his vehicle for approximately one hour before stopping in a parking lot on the 100 block of Koons Avenue. The defendant, while in possession of the illegal gun, then ordered the victim to exit the vehicle and walk with him to nearby Emerson Park.

The defendant attempted to rob two additional victims at the park, a short distance from where a youth football game was underway. The defendant attempted to steal a second female victim’s phone and chain necklaces from a male victim. During the robbery attempt, the defendant attempted to cause the death of the male victim by intentionally firing several shots from the illegal gun. The victim, a 31-year-old male from Rochester, was hit twice by gunfire. The victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for injuries to his leg and foot.

After the shooting, the defendant drove away with the first female victim. When responding Buffalo Police officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle on Koons Avenue and Sycamore Street, the defendant refused to comply and put the vehicle into reverse to attempt to flee, but subsequently crashed into a street sign. The defendant was taken into custody. Police recovered a loaded handgun from inside the vehicle, which was placed into evidence.

Shortly after he was arrested on felony charges, the defendant escaped from police custody while being transported to Buffalo Police headquarters. While exiting the police vehicle, the defendant ran toward Niagara Square, but was quicky apprehended.

In July 2025, Mallory pleaded guilty, as charged, to all nine counts of the indictment:

• One count of attempted murder in the second degree (class “B” violent felony)
• One count of kidnapping in the second degree (class “B” violent felony)
• One count of robbery in the first degree (class B violent felony)
• One count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (class C violent felony)
• One count of attempted robbery in the first degree (class C violent felony)
• One count of attempted assault in the first degree (class C violent felony)
• One count of assault in the second degree (class D violent felony)
• One count of escape in the first degree (class D felony)
• One count of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree (class A misdemeanor)

Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for its work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the narcotics/intelligence bureau.