Rochester Police look for witnesses in shooting that injured three – including two girls ages 12 and 16 – at vigil

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Mayor Malik Evans is demanding that people come forward with information about the shooting at a vigil on Monday evening that injured two girls, age 12 and 16, and a man in his 20s.

Rochester Police says the vigil on William Warfield Drive was a balloon release in memory of Jeremiah Baker, 17. Jeremiah was shot and killed on the same street on June 12.

The 12-year-old victim, Nea’Miah Wilson, was at the vigil to sing “Happy Birthday” in memory of her late cousin Jeremiah, said Nea’Miah’s mother. She also said the 16-year-old girl who was shot is due in February with Jeremiah’s baby.

RPD Lt. Greg Bello says he saw a video on social media showing the attendees of the vigil bowing their heads in prayer when gunshots started to ring out. In the video, children can be heard crying out.

“I was shocked. Not only was there people there mourning at a gravesite but they were in the middle of a prayer. In the middle of a prayer and gunshots ring out, which should be a solemn time of remembrance,” Bello said.

You can see the video here:

RPD responded to the shooting on William Warfield Drive, off Joseph Avenue, around 6:20 p.m. after getting reports of gunfire. All three victims are expected to survive and private cars took them to Rochester General Hospital for treatment.

The 16-year-old and 12-year-old were shot in the lower body. The 20-year-old was shot in the upper body. There were several police cars stationed outside the hospital after the victims arrived. Officers and what looks like community members could be seen standing by the emergency room.

Lt. Bello said no one is in custody for the shooting on Monday or for the murder of Jeremiah Baker in June.

Mayor Evans said anyone with information, pictures, or video of the suspects can send an anonymous tip. They can call 911, 311, or the Mayor’s Office at (585) 428-7045. You can also call the Office of Violence Prevention at (585) 314-8666.

You can see the full news conference here:

This shooting comes just days after friends and family said a final goodbye to 12-year-old Juan Lopez. The seventh-grader was shot and killed last month while walking on Atkinson Street in Rochester.

The number of children injured or killed by gun violence in our city is startling. A 14-year-old was the first young murder victim, killed on his way to a corner store. So far this year, seven people younger than 18 have been killed.

In all, 51 children have been shot and survived this year, including a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old both shot while sitting in a car.

READ MORE:

• Mom of Rochester girl shot at vigil: ‘It’s pure evil’ (Dec. 6)
• In neighborhood where 12-year-old was shot, community leader says, “The gangs have taken over” (Dec. 6)
• What is it like to be a child in the city right now? (Nov. 17)