In the quiet of his own home on an unfortunate Saturday evening, the life of 12-year-old Badraldeen Badr Mohamad Elwaseem was tragically cut short. On April 6, 2019, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a stray bullet pierced through his family's apartment on William Street in Buffalo, New York, striking the young boy in the head. Badraldeen was in the kitchen at the time, an innocent victim of gunfire that erupted outside.
Another man, aged 22, was also wounded in the shooting that took place in a nearby parking lot.
Emergency services rushed the boy to a local children's hospital, but his injuries were too severe. His family was left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of a child described as an excellent and promising student. The community was shaken by the death of a young boy in such a violent and random manner, with city leaders and anti-violence groups canvassing the neighborhood in the days that followed, desperate for answers.
In the wake of the tragedy, law enforcement officials launched an intensive investigation into the shooting. Despite their efforts, the person or persons responsible for Badraldeen's death have not been brought to justice. The case remains unsolved, a painful open wound for his grieving family and the city of Buffalo. In an effort to generate new leads, the FBI and Crime Stoppers have offered a significant reward, which has grown to $32,500, for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for assistance, hoping that someone will come forward with the crucial piece of information that will help them solve this heartbreaking case and bring a measure of closure to a family forever changed by a single stray bullet.
