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Indictment and Arrest in Kenzel Fleming Homicide Investigation

An individual has been indicted and arrested in connection with the shooting death of 23 year old Kenzel Fleming back in early April.

Fleming was shot and killed on Davidson Street near Eggert Road on April 6th, 2010, at approximately 9:45am.

An Erie County Grand Jury handed up an indictment for 21 year old Trumaine Suttles of Buffalo; charging him with murder in the 2nd degree and criminal possession of a weapon.

Immediately after the shooting, homicide detectives began their investigation, led by Sergeant Daniel F. Rinaldo, and Detectives Mary E. Gugliuzza, Michael Acquino, Michael A. Mordino, Noreen E. Walsh, Mary C. Evans and Brian G. Ross.

Detectives were able to obtain video evidence, including a distinctive looking van that was observed near the crime scene. An eventual link was established between the van and Trumaine Suttles of Stevens Avenue in Buffalo.

His van was seized, during the course of the investigation, and analyzed for evidence of the murder.

Also, during the two month investigation, Buffalo Narcotics Squad detectives, armed with search warrants, conducted drug raids on Goemble Street, in which illegal cocaine and two handguns were seized. The weapons were taken to the Central Police Services Lab for testing.

Homicide personnel conferred with the District Attorney's office and a grand jury probe into the murder was begun. The grand jury eventually handed up an indictment for Suttles.

Various law enforcement agencies were made aware of the indictment warrant, and worked cooperatively to locate the suspect.

Amherst police contacted the homicide squad with a possible location of the suspect.

Subsequently, the US Marshal's Violent Felony Task Force was able to locate Suttles in the town of Amherst. Suttles was taken into custody by NY State Police Senior Investigator Kevin Kendall and Detectives Brendan J. Kiefer and William J. Cooley, who are assigned to the Marshal's Task Force.

Buffalo police continue to investigate other shooting incidents in which Suttles may have been involved.

"The successful outcome of this murder investigation is yet another great example of the outstanding efforts by our personnel - at all levels - and the terrific cooperation between local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, in tracking down violent felons and removing them from the streets of our community," said Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives.

Sergeant Daniel F. Rinaldo cited the following individuals for their outstanding work on this homicide investigation:

Lt Karen Healy, responded to the murder scene and secured vital evidence Detective Mary Gugliuzza, case manager Detective Michael Acquino, participated in investigation Detective Michael Mordino, participated in investigation Detective Noreen Walsh, coordinated with narcotics personnel Detective Mary Evans, coordinated with narcotics personnel Detective Brian Ross, coordinated with Narcotics personnel Detective Jeff Weyand, developed information regarding the Suttles drug trafficking organization Detective Christopher Sterlace, developed information regarding the Suttles drug trafficking organization Amherst Lt Ted Denoto, provided information about Suttles living in his town Detective Brendon Kiefer, apprehended Suttles in Amherst Detective William Cooley, apprehended Suttles in Amherst NYSP Sr Investigator Kevin Kendall, apprehended Suttles in Amherst Erie County District Attorney's homicide chief James Bargnesi