'A tragedy of epic proportions': Rochester reacts to largest local shooting in memory
![](/gcdn/-mm-/57dba6ffe02345cbf040536384a65b9aea8095d7/c=954-640-2481-2167/local/-/media/2015/06/05/Rochester/Rochester/635690981449298417-ROCBrd-06-05-2015-DandC-1-C001--2015-06-03-IMG--Shuhmacher-Tracy-1.-2-1-TRAVG0S8-L621941306-IMG--Shuhmacher-Tracy-1.-2-1-TRAVG0S8.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Amid a tumultuous time in the city, Rochester awoke Saturday to more news: that two young adults, a man and a woman, were killed and 14 people wounded early Saturday in the largest Rochester shooting in memory.
Here are reactions from community leaders.
Mayor Lovely Warren
I’ve been briefed by acting Police Chief (Mark) Simmons on the shooting event which occurred on Pennsylvania Avenue in the City of Rochester. Our Pathways to Peace Team is on the ground and working with the victims and their families. I’m asking the community for prayers and support for all involved. This tragic act of violence has impacted many people's lives and families. I’m begging everyone to remain calm and exercise deep restraint as RPD investigates what happened here and seeks those responsible. As soon as additional information is available the police department will provide updates on this matter. Please keep our city in your continual prayers.
In a tweet released later Saturday morning, Warren stated:
I am deeply saddened by today’s horrific act of violence. It’s impacted so many lives and families. I’m asking the community for prayers and support for all involved. Now is the time for our community to come together and begin the healing process.
Mark Simmons
Mark Simmons, acting chief of the Rochester Police Department, spoke at a 3:45 a.m. briefing Saturday.
This is truly a tragedy of epic proportions, if you ask me. I mean, 16 victims is unheard of, and for our community, who's right now going through so much, to have to be dealt with this tragedy, needlessly, for people who decide to act in a violent manner is unfortunate and shameful, and we're going to do everything that we can as a department to bring those people involved to justice.
Shaun Nelms
Shaun Nelms, superintendent of East High School, indicated in social media posts that the tragedy had touched the school, but wasn't more specific.
"I am devastated with you and am at a loss to understand this terrible tragedy," he said. "We will find a way forward as a community, supporting and loving each other and the families of those injured and lost."
More:Shooting victim Jaquayla Young was beloved leader at East High
Free the People Roc
The local social justice group posted on social media:
We grieve with the victims and families of this morning's horrific shooting. It hurts to see our community in such pain. Just as we are coming to grips with one tragedy, we are hit with another.
These last six months have taken so much from our communities. People are experiencing unfathomable pain and loss. More than ever we need to invest in the resources that make us healthy and whole. All of us deserve to live violence-free lives, but that's impossible when people lack stable housing, fully funded schools and well-paying jobs. It's impossible when we invest more in police from the suburbs than the youth in our own neighborhoods. This is a wake up call to radically shift our priorities and invest in the people of this city.
Willie J. Lightfoot
Willie J. Lightfoot is vice president and public safety chair of the Rochester City Council.
My heart is heavy this morning, I am devastated by the news of more senseless gun violence happening in our ity. Two precious lives were lost, 14 people were wounded, and countless numbers have been traumatized. I join our community as we grieve alongside the victims and families of those who have been killed or wounded. Gun violence is a pandemic that the City and the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition have been actively fighting against. This week the City announced new initiatives for a community response to homicides; now, tragically, the same week we made that announcement, we must mobilize to respond to one of the largest acts of gun violence our City has ever seen. I am grateful for the immediate response of Pathways to Peace and other community partners who are working to stabilize the neighborhood. I join the Mayor in begging this community remain calm and exercise restraint, and I ask if anyone has information that could be helpful please share it with the authorities. Pray for our City and for those impacted by this tragedy.
Adam Bello
In series of tweets, the Monroe County executive said:
The horrific shooting and murders that took place overnight are a shocking tragedy that defies who we are. This heartbreaking act of violence has no place in our community and we must do everything we can to work together to ensure more lives are not lost to senseless gun violence. Now, more than ever, our community needs to come together to support each other and the victims and families of this horrific event. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and family throughout this difficult time.
Mary Lupien
Rochester City Council member Mary Lupien posted on Twitter.
I'm deeply worried for our community. Our youth and families need so much support and opportunities for success. What little supports did exist, are gone during COVID. We need to look at every dollar we spend as a government, at every level and use it to invest in our people.
My heart goes out to the families of those that had their lives stolen from them, to those injured and a to community that was violated. We must must must do better as a society to catch people from falling through the cracks. This violence is a direct result of societal failure.
Asa Adams
Local activist Asa Adams spoke to photographer Tina Yee near the scene on Saturday morning. He lives nearby.
These children are here trying to tell us something is wrong, and if we don’t pay attention to them, they’re going to kill themselves off. And they are our future.
We need to find out where they get these weapons from, and how many there are in Rochester. Because you’re seeing stuff like this in Chicago, Detroit, places that's got populations in the millions. But at the rate per capita, this should not happen inside a city that has 220,000 people. This is big city kind of stuff, and Rochester done have too many shootings alone this year. And it has to come to end.
Black churches have to get out of them pews, the pulpits, and get to these streets. You can sing and praise all you want, but actions is what God going to judge us by. He ain’t going to judge us by praying to him. I’m going to tell you that right now. I was in a church last Sunday and the lady minister has said it very bluntly, ‘It’s time to get out on these streets. You can’t hold us back any longer.’ So we got to wake up and we got to do it now.
Danielle Ponder
The activist and Monroe County public defender tweeted:
Now, more than ever, our community needs to come together to support each other and the victims and families of this horrific event. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and family throughout this difficult time.”
Rachel Barnhart
Rachel Barnhart, Monroe County legislator, posted on Twitter.
I’m so sorry for those injured and killed. Our community is in crisis. We are not meeting the needs of young adults and families for housing, jobs, education, and mental health care. It is a recipe for trauma and violence, made worse in the pandemic.
Reenah Oshun Golden
Reenah Oshun Golden is founder and artistic director at The Avenue Blackbox Theatre and host of The Goddess Hour on WAYO-FM (104.3), posted on Twitter.
My heart goes out to these families and victims. Lord! What are we gonna do, #ROC? This is not about changing policing, it has to be about changing hearts and minds. Hurt people, hurt people. And we are ALL hurting!
Joe Morelle
Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, who represents New York's 25th Congressional District in the U. S. House of Representatives, posted on Twitter.
My heart aches for the lives lost in last night’s tragic shooting, and for the collective the pain our community feels that has been further deepened by this senseless violence.
In times of sorrow, we must come together—to listen, to grieve, and to forge a path forward, united.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer
In a statement Saturday, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said:
“I am devastated by the heartbreaking news of a mass shooting in Rochester last night, and I send my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and my well wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured. The senseless devastation of more lives lost, families destroyed, and communities forever changed by gun violence is yet another painful reminder that we must immediately pass common sense gun safety laws, like universal background checks and more, to rein in absurdly easy access to guns that plagues our neighborhoods from coast to coast.”
Sandra Doorley
The Monroe County district attorney tweeted:
Last night’s violence was an all around tragedy for our city. I know that @RPD_MCU will work diligently to investigate, identify and arrest those responsible for this senseless act.
Send story tips to Tracy Schuhmacher at TracyS@Gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram as @RahChaChow. Your subscription makes work like this possible.