RPD asks for help finding man accused of firing gun during Maplewood Park mass shooting

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Police are asking for the public’s help with finding a man who they believe fired a gun in Maplewood Park during July’s mass shooting.

Niger Johnson, 20, is wanted for reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon. RPD released a photo of him during a news conference on Wednesday.

RPD Capt. Frank Umbrino says they’re not alleging that any of the bullets that Johnson fired hit anyone. He said there is a cash reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Johnson. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

“We need to get Mr. Johnson, put him in cuffs, and put him in jail,” Umbrino said.

Wanted flyer for Niger Johnson:

The photo of Johnson at the scene comes from a dash cam video. Here is that full dash cam video from the shooting:

Two people, 25-year-old Tyasia Manning and 33-year-old Phylicia Council, died in the mass shooting and several others were injured. The shooting broke out as hundreds of people had come out for a community picnic on Sunday, July 28.

RPD says nine different guns were fired during the shooting and they’ve identified at least 16 people who were in the park that evening with guns.

Manning’s mother spoke with News10NBC, describing her as an artistic person who was always good with kids. Manning worked with youth at city R-Centers. Her mother is pleading for the community to come forward with any information that could help to catch the shooter or shooters.

“I’m going to need you to come forth say something. People don’t need to be ashamed. There was a thousand people out there,” she said.

News10NBC also spoke with Phylicia Council’s father, who remembers her as a loving person who worked with special needs children at a Hillside group home for ten years.

“This is my baby girl. I’m not supposed to be burying her. She’s supposed to be burying me,” he said.

You can see the full news conference here: