A Buffalo man has been charged with murder in the bludgeoning death of two men in an apartment on St. Louis Place on March 4.
Bryan M. Chiclana, 34, was arraigned Wednesday morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on an indictment charging him with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder.
Buffalo Police responded to St. Louis Place near Virginia Street about 4:30 p.m. March 4 for a report of a person with a knife. Chiclana allegedly cut himself with the knife before he was taken into custody by police. He was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center and hospitalized while under the supervision of the Buffalo Police Department for a non-life threatening injury to his neck.
On the morning of March 4, investigators say Chiclana unlawfully entered a residence on St. Louis Place through a basement window and is accused of intentionally hitting two victims with an object while inside of their shared apartment. The victims, 40-year-old Michael “Mickey” Harmon and 37-year-old Jordan Celotto, were pronounced dead at the scene. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that both victims died as a result of blunt force trauma.
Chiclana is scheduled to return on April 21 for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Chiclana faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, their many friends, and all who have been impacted by this tragic and senseless crime. As we pursue justice in this case, I hope Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto continue to be remembered for their positive impact on our city’s Allentown neighborhood and LGBTQ+ community,” said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.
Keane commended Detective Christopher Sterlace, Detective Joseph Ruggerio, Detective Mark Constantino, Detective Jennifer Zanghi and Sergeant Sean McCabe of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Homicide Bureau.