Murder pegged as contract killing

The August, 2024 murder of Anthony Brantley, 42, of Niagara Falls may have been a contract killing.

Brantley was killed at a block party held at Ferry Avenue and 9th Street to celebrate the lack of gun violence in Niagara Falls and commemorate victims.

The Express has learned the recent arrest of Marvin EddieRay Porter, 37, of Pennsylvania on a charge of 1st Degree Murder contract killing, is related to the August, 2024 killing of Brantley.

Rojae Mitchell, 22, a Jamaican citizen illegally in the United States, has been convicted in the murder. Brantley was allegedly targeted for spreading street gossip involving Porter who no longer lived in Niagara Falls and was finding his way in life.

Brantley was on a similar path, leading a straight life after other convictions.

Anytime we speak about crime or murder in Niagara Falls it is important to note Brantley’s killing was the only gun murder in the hood in the last 3 years.

We All We Got, SNUG and GIVE patrols have ears to the ground. Nothing stops a young man from doing something stupid quite like the voice of someone who says “don’t be that stupid. Been there, Done that. Served for it. It ain’t worth it.”

If you want to get MAGA about it, Brantley’s killer was an illegal who was caught hiding in Alabama.

It is important to celebrate small victories given the dark days when our city had 10 or more annual killings as a part of life.