A Rochester youth football coach was shot during a game in Buffalo Sunday morning just before noon. According to police, the 31-year-old victim, a man from Rochester, was shot while attending the youth football game in the area of Sycamore and Koons Avenue, right near the Harvey Austin Elementary School. He was taken to the hospital where he is expected to survive his injuries. The suspect, identified by police as Buffalo resident Rashaan Mallory, 29, allegedly forced a man and woman into his car, further taking the woman’s phone away from her so she wouldn’t call for help. Mallory then drove to the football game where he robbed two other people, police said. One of the victims robbed was the coach, who, according to police, he shot twice.
BPD said the suspect tried to take off in the car he pulled up in with the woman still inside until officers demanded he get out. It’s alleged he then took off before crashing on Koons Avenue. Police said a Springfield Armory XD gun was recovered at the crash site. Mallory, a current parolee, faces numerous charges including attempted murder and kidnapping. One person has been arrested and a gun was recovered by officers, police said. The investigation continues.
The man who was shot is reportedly a youth football coach with the Flower City Panthers. The team was facing the GR8 Elite Ducks in northeast Buffalo. In a statement to the community Sunday, the Flower City Panthers President Philbert Daniel posted on Facebook that the coach was OK, writing:
“On behalf of Flower City Panthers, we would like to first thank God for his grace over all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the team moms, parents and coaches for keeping our children safe. This was a random incident that could of happened anywhere. Despite what is being said, this was not a Buffalo/Rochester beef and the individual involved also kidnapped a girl and wanted for a Homicide last week He is now in custody for the attempted robbery today on coach Rell and reckless endangerment today on top of things. It was a random guy with no team affiliations and we just happened to be there and along with others fell victim to a senseless act of violence Coach Rell is OK let’s keep him and his family in our prayers.”
