TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced Friday three suspects have been charged in connection with a 2019 Town of Tonawanda shooting that killed a mother and injured her two children.
Officials say on August 27, 2019 Danielle Crectacci was killed inside of a home on Ebling Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda.
According to the district attorney's office, two individuals broke into the home through a side door and allegedly went into bedrooms and grabbed Cretacci and her children, and brought them into the living room.
While in the living room, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said Cretacci was shot in the back of her head execution-style and the two children were shot in the torso area.
The two children immediately fell to the ground but were both responsive when police arrived, according to Flynn. Cretacci's elder daughter played dead until the suspects left the home.
Officials say when the suspects were gone, the elder daughter left the home in an attempt to get help.
The district attorney's office announced Ernest B. Green Jr., Daniel Rodriguez and Sharee Bailey have been charged with one count of murder in the second degree. Green and Rodriguez also face attempted murder charges for the shooting of the children.
Prosecutors allege Bailey organized the crime.
The three suspects allegedly went to the home in order to rob Cretacci, who had recently received legal settlement money that officials say she told people about.
Officials say Green and Bailey are also charged in connection with a murder that occurred on Merrimac Street in Buffalo on September 27, 2019. Bethany Malloy and Shaquiel St. John were killed.
Flynn said Malloy also was due to receive a personal injury settlement but had not received it, although she told people about it.
Green, Bailey and Wayne Robbins are charged with two counts of murder in the first degree and four counts of murder in the second degree in connection with the Merrimac murder.
Flynn said Bailey was the common thread in both cases, it is alleged she knew Cretacci and Malloy.
Officials say all suspects are in custody and the Cretacci children are doing well.
If convicted on the first-degree murder charges, Bailey, Green, and Robbins could face life in prison without parole.
