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Table of Contents

Gun Violence Declines in Buffalo After VIPER Initiative

A dramatic drop in gun violence has been reported in Buffalo, New York, following the implementation of the federal Violence Prevention and Elimination Response (VIPER) Initiative. The initiative, launched on July 7, 2021, aimed to address the significant increase in gun violence in the city during the first half of 2021.

According to U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., the homicide rate in Buffalo decreased by over 50% during the initial 60-day period of VIPER. Additionally, the number of shooting victims in Buffalo was down 6% compared to the five-year average for the same months in 2021.

The VIPER initiative achieved its objectives through four key strategies:

Enhanced Targeted Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest and prosecute violent gun offenders.
Enhanced Federal Prosecutions: Prosecutors prioritized the arrest and federal prosecution of prohibited persons, individuals who unlawfully buy or sell guns, and violent criminals who possess firearms.
Enhanced Cooperation and Use of Intelligence-led Policing: All Buffalo gun arrests were subject to daily review by state and federal prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies collaborated to identify and arrest fugitives with active arrest warrants for gun crimes.
Enhanced Community Engagement: Efforts were made to improve police-community relations through enhanced community policing and engagement.

During the VIPER initiative, 144 firearms arrests were made, with 44 pending federal prosecution and 96 pending state prosecution. The task force also seized 122 firearms, removing them from those who would commit acts of violence.

U.S. Attorney Kennedy noted that the initiative was launched in response to the tragic shooting of three-year-old Shaquelle Walker Jr. on July 5, 2021. In honor of the young victim, law enforcement agencies joined forces to quell the violence in Buffalo. The results have been impressive, with a significant decrease in gun violence. However, more work remains to be done, and the VIPER initiative will continue through the end of October.