Suspected squatter charged in Zenner Street homicides arraigned

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A suspected squatter accused of killing two people on Zenner Street in Buffalo last month was arraigned on an indictment Friday morning.

Dale Cummings, 31, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, as well as a single count each of second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was accused of fatally shooting Buffalo residents Babul Meah and Abu Yousuf -- two men who police said were at a house on Zenner to perform work.

"A number of projectiles were recovered from each of their bodies," a prosecutor told the judge in court Friday morning.

A gun suspected to be linked to the killings has been recovered. Cummings entered a plea of not guilty to all charges during his court appearance.

Cummings, who was listed as having no permanent address, is no stranger to law enforcement. He's previously faced charges of menacing, trespassing, criminal impersonation, theft of services and loitering in separate incidents.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Cummings could spend life in prison without parole. He remains in custody and will be back in court on June 27.