Man Held Without Bail in JP Homicide

BOSTON, October 26, 2020—The man charged in the October 21, 2020 fatal shooting of Augusta Carter faced arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

UHMARI BUFFORD, 26, was arraigned today in the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court on charges of murder, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Riley-Cunniffe, Judge David Weingarten ordered Bufford held without bail for the pendency of the case.  Judge Weingarten additionally revoked Bufford’s bail for a period of 60 days in three pending criminal cases.  According to prosecutors, Bufford has a 2020 case pending in the Roxbury Division of the BMC charging witness intimidation and disturbing the peace and two open cases in Suffolk Superior Court, one charging firearm offenses for which he was arraigned in July and the other a 2019 case charging two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault and battery.

The victim, Mr. Carter, 45, was among a group of individuals standing in a courtyard in the area of 950 Parker Street shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, when a gunman approached on foot.  The assailant shot Mr. Carter multiple times, then stood over the victim’s body and fired twice more before fleeing, ADA Riley told the court. 

Boston Police arrived at the location to find Mr. Carter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  He was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

Mr. Bufford was identified as the shooter through security camera footage and witness interviews.  He was taken into custody at a residence in Brockton on Friday afternoon.

“This individual is alleged to have committed an execution in the middle of a neighborhood, near a playground, without regard for the lives of anyone in the area.  The residents of our community deserve better, and Mr. Carter’s family and loved ones deserved better.  My staff and I are here to provide this family and every homicide survivor with resources and assistance to begin the long and grueling process of healing.  We’re also here to help the community that has been shaken by yet another act of violence,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “I have made a commitment to the people of Suffolk County to dedicate my Office’s efforts and resources to combatting serious and violent crimes that cause the greatest harm in our communities.  Violence will not be tolerated, and anyone who would take a life and inflict this immeasurable harm will be found and held accountable for their actions.  The Boston Police did an exceptional job in this case and their work should be commended."

Elise McConnell is the Victim Witness Advocate assigned to the case.  Bufford is represented by Michael Roitman.  He returns to court November 24, 2020.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.