Cheektowaga man admits attempted assault, robbery in alleged shooting

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini

3 hours ago

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga man pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to attempted robbery and attempted assault in connection with a 2023 incident in which multiple firearms were fired, according to the office from the Erie County District Attorney.

On May 1, shortly before 4 p.m., Jaquail Yamani, 30, wore a face mask to enter a pawn shop in Cheektowaga and pawn a laptop and Bluetooth speaker, officials said. Two other individuals wearing masks entered the store while the victim was looking at the items, officials said.

The defendant allegedly brandished an illegal handgun and pointed it at the victim's head. Authorities said the victim pushed the gun away and showed his own licensed firearm. His colleague was also in possession of a registered firearm, they said.

An alleged shooting ensued. Authorities said the defendant fired the first shot before the victim and his colleague returned fire. Yamani and one of the unidentified suspects allegedly fired several shots at the victim before shooting out the front window to escape.

The defendant sought medical treatment at a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, for a gunshot wound. The victims were not injured.

Yamani was linked to the crime through video surveillance, license plate readers and the laptop he abandoned at the scene, officials said.

Yamani was charged with the following:

• two counts of attempted first-degree robbery
• attempted first degree assault
• criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree
• second degree attempted theft

He faces up to 15 years in prison.

Yamani is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 9 and remains held without bail.