Two teens charged with violent murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Homicide detectives say they've solved the murder of a Buffalo teen who was stabbed to death and set on fire in North Buffalo.

Police have made two arrests in the murder on Taunton Place. Two teenagers were taken into custody Tuesday afternoon for the murder of 16-year-old Darren Brown, and more arrests could still be made.

Brown's body was found in a vacant lot along abandoned railroad tracks at Colvin and Taunton late Friday night. He had been stabbed multiple times and his body was set on fire. Buffalo Police Commissioner Dan Derenda and Mayor Byron Brown announced 17-year-old Demetrius Huff and 16-year-old Ezeiekile Nafi have been charged with second degree murder.

Police believe the murder could be drug-related.

Derenda said, "It was not a random act. It was not an act of retaliation. This victim was acquainted with the suspects."

Mayor Brown added, "Any one homicide is one too many. We are concerned with victims of every homicide that takes place. That's why our investigators work so hard on solving them to send a clear message that you can't get away with this kind of crime."

The news of the grisly homicide has rattled the North Buffalo neighborhood.

Renee, who grew up in the community, said, "Very disheartening to hear and being in the neighborhood, so close by, where there's so many children, there's so many people right here. To see it three doors from the homes, and just to find somebody stabbed and burned like that. It's terrible."

Frank Gonzalez added, "It just scares us. It scares every one that lives here on the block. I actually installed cameras at my house so I can see what's going on; because that's how bad it's getting."

The two teen suspects will be arraigned Wednesday morning in Buffalo. Police really weren't able to give a lot of information about the incident because again, there may be more arrests forthcoming.