A man has been charged with multiple counts of murder in connection with the deaths of two well-known Allentown artists earlier this week.
Bryan M. Chiclana, 34-years-old, faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. He was formally arraigned on Friday afternoon. Chiclana is accused of killing 40-year-old Michael "Mickey" Harmon, the co-owner of The Good Stuff on Allen Street, and his partner, 37-year-old Jordan Celotto, at their home on St. Louis Place on Tuesday. Authorities reported that both victims died from blunt force trauma.
It is unknown what the murder weapon was at this time.
“This crime is horrific in every sense,” said Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon on Friday. “The brutality and senselessness of these murders are unacceptable, and we will not tolerate such violence in our community.”
The police were alerted around 4:30pm on Tuesday after a friend of the victims became concerned when they failed to show up for work. Upon arriving at the residence, the friend found Chiclana at the scene injuring himself with a knife. When officers arrived, he dropped the knife and was immediately taken to ECMC under police supervision as a person of interest. He was discharged from the hospital on Friday morning and placed under arrest.
Investigators believe the murders occurred earlier that same day. Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Craig Macy revealed that Chiclana had attempted to break into several homes and vehicles in a short time before the murders took place. Authorities said he gained entry to Harmon and Celotto’s home by crawling through a basement window.
“This is truly the stuff of nightmares,” said Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski. “The idea that someone could break into your home and commit such a violent act is a trauma everyone fears. It’s something the entire community is struggling to process.”
Harmon and Celotto were an artistic couple and prominent figures in the Allentown area. Harmon was known for his artistic renderings of historic Buffalo homes as well as for his murals depicting LGBTQ themes and messages of kindness and giving.
While the couple's relationship was widely known, officials have stated there is no indication that the killings were motivated by hate or that Chiclana had any previous connection with them.
Man Arrested in Connection to Double Murder of Allentown Artists