Buffalo police charge man with murder after Six Nations man and partner killed in their home

Police in Buffalo, New York, have made a significant breakthrough in the case involving the tragic deaths of Jordan Celotto, 37, and Michael (Mickey) Harmon, 40, who were found dead in their Allentown residence last week. The authorities have charged a 34-year-old man with murder in connection to the killings, which were determined to have been caused by blunt force trauma.

Acting mayor of Buffalo, Christopher Scanlon, expressed shock and disbelief at the violent and senseless nature of the crime during a press conference where the charges were announced. The suspect, who has no fixed address, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. According to Buffalo police chief of detectives, Craig Macy, the man was not known to the victims and had been attempting to break into other homes in the neighborhood before entering Celotto and Harmon’s residence.

Erie County district attorney, Michael Keane, revealed that the suspect unlawfully entered the victims’ home and attacked them with a blunt object, resulting in their tragic deaths. Despite the horrific nature of the crime, Scanlon emphasized that the attack was not targeted or hate-motivated based on the findings of the police investigation.

Celotto, a member of the Onondaga Beaver family from Six Nations of the Grand River, was described by friends and family as an amazing artist and a loving individual deeply connected to his community. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Celotto’s family with the costs of bringing him back to his home community in Six Nations, with an outpouring of support from donors.

Meanwhile, Harmon, who will be buried in Buffalo, also has a GoFundMe page set up for his funeral expenses. The couple, who were well-known and beloved in the 2SLGBTQ+ and arts communities in Buffalo, received an outpouring of tributes from individuals and organizations, including the Pride Center of Western New York and the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project.

A celebration of life for both Celotto and Harmon is scheduled to take place at the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in Buffalo on March 22, where friends, family, and community members will come together to honor their memory and legacy. As the investigation continues, the Buffalo community mourns the loss of two individuals who had a profound impact on those around them.