Man receives maximum sentence for killing Chappa Grocery owner

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester man who was found guilty of shooting and killing a grocery store owner during an attempted robbery back in April of 2020 will spend 25 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections.

Alexander Laureano, 29, was convicted of second degree murder, first degree manslaughter, two counts of first degree attempted robbery and second degree attempted robbery for killing Chernet Tiruneh back on April 28, 2020.

Tiruneh owned Chappa Grocery on Grand Avenue. He was 34 years old.

Prosecutors say Laureano held Tiruneh at gunpoint and demanded money and that Tiruneh was reaching for a legally registered gun when Laureano shot and killed him.

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley called his murder senseless, saying it demanded justice.

“Chernet came to this country and worked tirelessly for his family and his community," Doorley said. "Alexander Laureano had no regard for the law when he brutally took the life of a beloved community member for a quick attempt at money.”

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Laureano was arrested eleven months after the attempted robbery. Gilberto Rivera of Rochester was also charged in Tiruneh’s death.