Category: news
01/17/10 10:11 - 29ºF - ID#50834
Shooting at Merge?
Deadly Shooting at Downtown Buffalo Restaurant
By WKBW News
WKBW-TV
updated 12:19 a.m. ET, Sun., Jan. 17, 2010
Police have identified the victim and the suspect in a deadly shooting at a downtown Buffalo restaurant.
51-year old Ernesto Arechavaleta-Taureaux of Porter Avenue is charged with the shooting death of 18-year old Rick Costner, Jr.
Buffalo police were called out to Merge restaurant at 439 Delaware Avenue at about 11:40 this morning after a report of a shooting. When they arrived they found two people shot. Buffalo Police spokesperson Mike DeGeorge tells Eyewitness News the restaurant's manager 40-year old Rick Costner, Sr. and his son 18-year old Rick Costner, Jr. who worked as a sous chef were shot. Costner, Jr. was taken to Buffalo General where he was pronounced dead. His father was taken to ECMC and treated for his wound.
Police say the suspect in the shooting is 51-year old Ernesto Arechavaleta-Taureaux of Porter Avenue. Arechavaleta-Taureaux worked as a dishwasher at the restaurant.
"The people who run the restaurant are wonderful people and this poor guy now his 18-year old son is gone", said Gerry Smith.
Smith has an auto dealership just around the corner from the restaurant. He says in 30 years he's never seen or heard of anything like this in this neighborhood.
"It puts a black mark on the neighborhood it's not the neighborhood that you find stuff like this happening in the middle of the afternoon". Smith told Eyewitness News.
Merge opened just about a year ago by sisters Eliza and Sarah Schneider. According to their website the restaurant is a place, "... where vegans can sit down over lunch with meat eaters to discuss art, and foodies can enjoy an elegant dinner with blue collar sensibilities".
Both sisters showed up at the restaurant shortly after the shooting. They sisters were seen comforting one another and other employees at the restaurant. Neither would comment on the shooting but they did post this message on their website:
Our hearts are with the Costner family at this time. We are shocked and saddened by the tragedy that occurred today. It was an isolated incident and a random act of violence. We are accepting charitable donations of any size for the Costner family.
The suspect is charged with second degree murder as well as attempted second degree murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. Police did recover a 9mm handgun at the scene.
Hopefully I'll get last nights Bandits Game pictures posted today if I have time before Football then 24.
Permalink: Shooting_at_Merge_.html
Words: 484
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: hockey
01/13/10 07:45 - 28ºF - ID#50813
Avalanche Vs Sabres
Well Looks like it is game on. It was an odd game I didn't think the sabres would mount a comback but in the end they did and it wound up being a great game. It is all ways a good time.
I think I may have loused up the order a bit not sure. Just wanted to mention that is anyone wants to see more of these pictures they are on my webshots page, I guess the best way not sure to veiw them all is in a slide show but not sure about that cause there sure are a lot more then there are here (not that anyone would want to see that many of them)
Between the 2nd and 3rd Period they had a shoot out contest for high schools I forget the school and then yes I got more food, I was thirsty so decided to get pizza also.
I can admit I have no idea how many pictures I have in this post or how good the game is represented but I'm getting tired of posting pictures so I'm going to jump to the shoot out that followed an sudendeath overtime. For anyone who reads this and doesn't know how it works is. That each team has five players (I think 5 and not 3) and they each get a shot on net and the team who scores the most wins. Yes you can win in less then five shots by the way. you can get to a point where the other team can't catch you then you win the easy way would be if they don't score and your ist 3 guys do then even if there last 2 got gaols they would lose so the shoot out ends if one team can't catch up to the other. If that ends up a tie then they go to a Sudden Death Format. The Way that works is round 6 starts and one team goes and if they score then the other team gets a chance to match them. But as kinda in baseball if the first team goes and the shot is saved and the 2nd team goes and scores then it is all over. It is fun to watch and this was put in as a way to make it more fun for the fans. Maybe the rule has changed but shoot outs are only in regular season play, in the playoffs I think you play a full overtime period but not sure If I'm correct about that.
The Avalanche won. I had a good time. One thing I need to remember is to watch the game and take pictures with the camera. Often times you start to watch the game through the camera. Hey if it was a 10 times zoom that would be awesome as I would get a better view. I just wish I would have got those Jr. Sabres split club things. By the way there sure are a lot of hot ladies selling those, not saying they are all hot but some of them are pretty nice. Well here are a few pictures of me after the game.
Permalink: Avalanche_Vs_Sabres.html
Words: 978
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
01/06/10 07:46 - 22ºF - ID#50760
TSO 2009
A few things I should point out. 1) You made it through the pictures congrats! 2) Pictures don't really do the effects Justice you need to see them in person, you see things differently then how a camera does. 3) The Same show looks different based on where you sit. I think right above the stage on the side is the best view but that is just me go and try out different perspectives different years or even go to both shows in a day and pick different seats. 4) I didn't know a head of time that the Violinist and Guitar guy where going to go my way (out of the gutter people). I just got Lucky Ha. But during the show I knew someone was going to go down that way just like at another concert I went to. I saw someone with access tags twice (2 people ) walk that way so I thought something was up and when the cute chick talked to an usher I knew something was up. That leads to
> 5) When ever at a show look around. I almost missed this chick dancing in the same area that the platform went up . I had a great time and I hope everyone that went had one also, hope somepeople liked this post and the pictures.
Permalink: TSO_2009.html
Words: 550
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: hockey
01/03/10 11:08 - 10ºF - ID#50730
Penguins Vs. Sabres Birthday Part 3
Again not sure who saw Birthday Parts 1 and 2 but this is part 3. When I saw the Sabres where playing my secondary Hockey team the penguins I knew I wanted to go, but the game before or after my birthday, hey why not both. So On Tuesday I went to see the Penguins play the sabres again and This time Buffalo wore the "New" "Old style" uniforms. They started out getting behind quick but changing to Lalme (how ever you spell that) changed the game around and they came back and won. So here are a bunch of pictures including warmups and the game and maybe even some food and things. It was a great Gift to my self from myself.
Game On:
I may have my Pop Culture Info I little bit Wrong here but, the blonde is an Actress from the show Glee. I think her name is Heather. Now this is the part I'm not sure of she was in Buffalo and doing stuff like teaching dance or something I kinda think she is from the area since she was at a Sabres Game and on Local Radio maybe someone who watchs the show like (e:drew) would know. Glee is a great show but I have only seen it like twice.
Well I feel that , that is enough pictures so you get the idea and so I can remember the game. It was a great time. My next sabres game is less then a week away Sat. Night. Hoping that I don't need to work so maybe I can do some go see a movie or two and go to a game thing. Hope someone enjoyed the shots.
Permalink: Penguins_Vs_Sabres_Birthday_Part_3.html
Words: 646
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
01/02/10 07:14 - 11ºF - ID#50726
Ball Drop 2010 Part 2
Well here is where I think I left of right around the ball drop:
Now at this point is when my Camera (has time and date) thinks that it is 2010. Maybe it was maybe it wasn't but the Ball was dropped here so for us it was 2010.
Just a Quick Mention that sorry some of the pictures are orientated the wrong way I didn't really have time to go through and flip them or edit anything.
Well if anyone is still reading this or looking at the pictures congrats. This is the stage of video games like say Roller-coaster Tycoon where some park becomes unlocked and is like a bonus. Here are some pictures from Jan 1st.
I will admit some of them are dark and shadowy but they are what I got. I know I saw others take pictures and I look forward to seeing them. Again Thanks to (e:PMT) for hosting and everyone who came and hope everyone had a great time.
Permalink: Ball_Drop_2010_Part_2.html
Words: 708
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
01/01/10 07:26 - 26ºF - ID#50720
2009-2010 EVE Part 1
(e:tinypliny) glad to see you made before the ball dropped and had a lot of fun and got into a bunch of very interesting conversations
(e:leetee) and (e:uncutsaniflush) it was nice to see that you both came out and had a good time
(e:Enknot) always good to see you and glad you dressed up it made me feel I little bit less out of place
(e:Theecarey) you where missed, hope you still had a good time.
(e:Heidi) Thanks for the good times and the cookies
I admit there are some people there who I'm not sure who they are but I have seen them at like other events. Also Not every picture was taken by me. And for those that don't know it these aren't in order. Oh yeah the Star Trek tree is awesome.
One thing I do need to explain is that Champagne that is pink. The Bottle it came it made it look like you are supposed to spray it on your neck. By the way Hope you liked it (e:tinypliny). When I went to Hodge Liquar there was some in front giving out free samples. This is the 1st one I tried I maybe should have tried others as a way to get a better variety and stronger buzz but I liked it so I went with it. I'm sure they got a lot of sales that way. It just seemed odd that they had this little area set up and they just gave it to you. Well here are a few more pictures and then this will be continued again soon.
Permalink: 2009_2010_EVE_Part_1.html
Words: 559
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: peterazzi
12/27/09 11:23 - 33ºF - ID#50666
Birthday 2009 Part 2
For Those Wondering the Food there is very good. Well everyones taste is different so it is hard to say plus they have stuff as one can tell all over the walls and show sporting events.
There Is a Picture of the New Winter Coat. NO picture can really show how many different pockets there are and how great of a Birthday gift it was, that was and is pretty cool. Birthday Part 3 takes place on Tuesday for the next Sabres vs. Penguins game. Those are going to be a lot of pictures to put away and get developed then the next Night A christmas Gift to him self will be TSO and I'm sure a bunch of Photos will be taken and posted from that as well.
Permalink: Birthday_2009_Part_2.html
Words: 329
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: hockey
12/25/09 07:55 - 38ºF - ID#50658
Birthday Part 1
Do to Lack of time that is about it. Now if I had a laptop with internet there might be about 100 pictures up here or more. If this isn't enough you can check out my webshots page and best way to view that is as a slide show. During the game they tell you about deals, like there was this cool popcorn tin thing. But the one I jumped on after the game was 25% of Jerseys and some other Items. Yes this is my first Sabres one. Is it cheap no, but a lot less then it was before.
Permalink: Birthday_Part_1.html
Words: 249
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: political
12/22/09 09:02 - ID#50635
The Good side to wal-mart
1st. Full disclosure where I work we sell product to Wal-Mart, Target, CVS,Walgreen's, Rite Aid, and a bunch of other places and I have no how the money end of things work, I just pick the orders
2. I love target you can get any thing there really, well mostly.
3. I have gone to wal-mart near where I work and they aren't bad.
Yes Often times Wal-Mart get a lot of bad press and some of it they deserve. But there is often another side to that debate that people don't talk about. I'm talking about wages and how they are good that people are paid low rates.
So if you believe that Wal-mart is cheaper then say K-mart or someplace like that the first question is why. Since they are a big box store I'm sure we can assume that they pay the same price for a TV from Sony as anyone else does. Maybe they do have some ways to get it cheaper then target. But I suspect that they pay the same but that their mark up is less then Target. Yes there are some items that aren't name brand that they get for cheaper then SaY Target. But if this is the case that is because they buy things that cost less then target does. Yes in some cases maybe the workers who make it, make really low wages but for the country they work in that is the standard set there. In some places those are still good jobs, by comparison but that isn't what I'm really talking about.
Any store there goal is to make money. Yes it should be provide goods and Services people need, but it isn't. Since it is for profit that means that there is a certain profit margin on everything they sell. If a store spends x amount of dollars to run and that amount goes up, then their amount of profit drops. So that leads to an increase in price to make up for the less profit. Again though this is a tough balance if you raise prices to much people will stop buying stuff or shopping someplace else and you will lose even more money.
What keeps Wal-mart, Aldi, Price Rite and other places cheap is keeping there costs low. By doing this they can keep around the same amount of profit as other places. I have heard people say they won't go to wegman's because it costs to much. Well back about 10 years ago you could work at Wilson Farms for 3 years and walk into wegmans and on your first day as a Cashier you would be paid a higher wage. Yes they are a great company to work for, but those great things cost money so food costs more. The reverse is true also.
In other words what keeps prices low at wal-mart is that they don't pay very much. Most people think of that as bad. But what about people who want to buy stuff and don't have the money to go to
target. Some might say those are extras who cares. Well think about all the people who go to Price Rite or Save A Lot because Wegmans is to much. That is thought of as good but a retailer does it and they are evil, that is a double standard.
Generally speaking the Higher Paying Job, the tougher it is to get, and the more knowledge you need. Not to pick on anyone but I think there are a lot of people at Wal-Mart who that is the only Job they can get. If there was no Wal-Mart where would they work. What could they buy. Now working there they can at least buy stuff there.
Yes Wal-Mart is very powerful and when they abuse that power and push around workers and not pay them for overtime, that is bad. But that doesn't mean everything they do is bad. I also think protesting Wal-Mart is silly. Lets just say that it worked and no one went there. They would close and all those people would lose their Jobs. A job is hard to find where are those people going to go. What about the people who only can buy things at Wal-Mart how are they going to buy stuff. What about the places that Wal-Mart buys stuff from in other countries or even here, they could lose there jobs now that wal-mart isn't buying.
I think the entire wal-mart thing is another example of something that is very complex that people like to try and make simple and turn into a Political issue. You could make the point that it is a social issue but that is a different thing all together.
Oh one last point. I know that Wal-marts some times move into small towns and then all the local places close, or at least that is what I have heard. Then the guy who ran the local Hardware store has to get a Job there. That isn't wal-mart's fault. That is the town peoples lack of Loyality. They will go buy something at Wal-mart that is a little bit cheaper instead of buying from the person they know and trust, or atleast know. How about a little bit of loyality.
Permalink: The_Good_side_to_wal_mart.html
Words: 920
Location: Buffalo, NY
12/21/09 08:39 - 28ºF - ID#50621
snow and lights
That reminds me I haven't put up any of My Train Tags Photo project either. I could at least put up a start to it in some form. I wish I had time to trek around and get all kinds of lights pictures there really are a lot of people who do a great job with them.
Permalink: snow_and_lights.html
Words: 148
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Incidentally Buffalo News online had a gruesome photo of the dying son on a gurney, blood and all. It was a kinda graphic to the point of being gratuitous or voyeuristic in a sick sort of way.
:::link:::
One killed in restaurant shooting
Gunfire wounds father of victim; co-worker charged
By Jay Tokasz and Jay Rey
NEWS STAFF REPORTERS
Updated: January 17, 2010, 9:45 AM / 38 comments
A dishwasher allegedly opened fire on his co-workers â€" fatally shooting one and wounding another â€" inside a Delaware Avenue restaurant, as employees prepared to open for business Saturday morning.
The victims were a father and his son.
Rick Costner Jr., 18, a sous chef at Merge restaurant, 439 Delaware Ave., was killed, Buffalo police said.
His father, Rick Sr., 40, general manager of the restaurant, was taken to the hospital, and listed in stable condition Saturday night.
Arrested was the gunman, a 51-year-old Buffalo man who has been working as a dishwasher at Merge since May.
Ernesto Arechavaleta-Taureaux, a resident of Porter Avenue on the city's West Side, has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
He was scheduled to be arraigned in City Court this morning.
Chief of Detectives Dennis Richards would not comment on the motive for the attack, other than to say it was a case of workplace violence, part of a disturbing trend seen throughout the nation.
"It's this kind of new phenomenon now in the workplace where there's this lone gunman exhibiting violent behavior," Richards said. "We've seen many instances of this in American culture."
News of the shooting stunned the restaurant's patrons and the community â€" a tragedy considered unlikely for a restaurant that has become a particularly popular destination of young adults.
The owners are sisters Eliza and Sarah Schneider, who carved out a niche for Merge, offering a largely vegetarian menu in a community that offered few venues for vegetarians.
"Our hearts go out to the Costner family at this time," read a posting on the Merge's Facebook page. "We've all lost a wonderful friend and co-worker. We are shocked and saddened by the tragedy that occurred today. It was an isolated incident and a random act of violence."
Here's what happened, according to reports by police and witnesses:
The initial call reporting the double shooting came in at 11:41 a.m., police said.
Six employees, including the Costners and the apparent shooter, were in the restaurant Saturday, preparing to open for lunch at noon.
The restaurant was planning "Drinks & Drawing/Pints & Painting" â€" an afternoon event billed as encouraging artists of any skill level to "come hang out, have a hot cup of tea or a beer and paint/draw."
About 20 minutes before opening, Arechavaleta-Taureaux, a native of Cuba, allegedly began firing multiple shots at his co-workers using a 9 mm handgun.
The shooter narrowly missed one co-worker, who managed to duck.
The Costners, however, were unable to escape the gunfire.
Other employees were able to disarm Arechavaleta-Taureaux and hold him until police arrived. Police recovered a handgun at the scene.
Three ambulances, a fire truck and about a dozen police vehicles converged on the restaurant, blocking northbound traffic on Delaware between Virginia and Edward streets.
An ambulance took Rick Costner Sr. to Erie County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said.
Later on, a man â€" who turned out to be the younger Costner â€" was rolled out of the restaurant on a gurney and into an ambulance, as an emergency crew worked intensely to revive him. He appeared to have a gunshot wound to the chest.
The younger Costner was taken to Buffalo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The restaurant was opened about a year ago by the Schneider sisters, members of a well- known Buffalo family. Their father, Jake, is an architect and songwriter, while their mother, Katie, is a Koessler, a prominent family known for its civic and philanthropic involvement in the city.
A Buffalo News review described Merge as a long, narrow restaurant with a small bar in the back, nice woodwork, bright colors, interesting art and a raised stage and sound system for films and live music. The restaurant threw a New Year's party celebrating its one-year anniversary, and appeared to be successful.
It offers an eclectic, creative vibe, according to the report. Patrons play board games on cozy leather couches. The entertainment ranges from live bands to comedy to local art exhibits.
"The word merge means to combine, unite, or most literally to come together," the restaurant's Facebook page reads. "That's exactly why the name fits our philosophy so well. At merge we hope to bring people together in a place where they can share meals, drinks, art, and ideas."
jtokasz@buffnews.com and jrey@buffnews.com