Rochester Police add 2 people to 2021 homicides, tying 2020 total

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester has officially tied its 2020 total for homcides, police data confirmed Thursday.

Rochester Police Captain Frank Umbrino said the city reached 52 murders as it added two cases, including a deadly June shootout on Hudson Avenue, and an assault and robbery on Mount Read Boulevard in April.

In the first case, 44-year old Manuelito Rivera died from his injuries Wednesday. He and three other people were shot in the Walmart parking lot on June 28. An 18-year-old man, later identified as Angel Gonzalez-Pagan, also died from his injuries.

Police say progress has been made in the investigation, but no arrests have been made.

In the second case, police counted the death of 51-year-old Alicia Saladyga as a homicide. Saladyga was assaulted and robbed in her hotel room on April 7. At the time, she was hospitalized, but her condition worsened and she died on April 22.

34-year-old Christopher Pate and 44-year-old Jennifer Shea have already been charged and indicted for several charges and are still in custody. Police say the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and will determine when and if additional charges will be filed against Pate and Shea.

Pate is currently suing the City of Rochester, Rochester Police Department, the former officer convicted of assaulting him, Michael Sippel, and other members of the department.

Sippel was convicted of misdemeanor assault and is serving a sentence of three years probation for hitting Pate in the face during the incident, causing a facial fracture.

The city reached 50 homicides on the tail end of a three-day span that saw three people killed, including a man shot and killed on Harris Street on Monday night.

52 killings marks the highest total in Rochester since 42 people were killed in 2013.

Behind the scenes, law enforcement and community activists have either called for change, or launched initiatives like the Federal Violence Prevention and Elimination Response (VIPER) Task Force or United and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County.

Back with the Walmart shooting, police ask anyone with information or cell phone video of the shooting to call 911, the Major Crimes Unit at (585) 428-7157, Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300, or email MajorCrimes@cityofrochester.gov.