Rochester police returning a suspect’s fire on Monday fatally injured a man authorities now say is suspected of numerous crimes across Monroe County. The victim was shot near Francis Parker School No. 23.
Police say their investigation began Friday night, March 17, when Monroe County Deputies found evidence of multiple gunshots fired into a business on Monroe Avenue. The business was closed at the time. Rochester police found the vehicle from which the shots were fired empty on Milburn Street in the city a short time later. Two firearms were found inside the car, an a possible suspect identified.
Brighton police next were called to a Monday morning road rage incident on Elmwood Avenue, where they again found evidence of shots fired. They also found a suspect vehicle at that same location in Milburn Street in the city. Brighton and RPD Officers tried to stop that car, but the driver took off at high speed and police decided to call off the chase because of danger to the public.
Just before 1:00 p.m., the suspect returned to Milburn Street where police again tried to stop him. After stopping on Vassar Street, the suspect pulled out a hunting knife and threatened the officers. They fired at least one shot at him and he ran away, cutting through yards before police caught up with him in a backyard on Barrington Street. He then aimed a shotgun at the officers. Witnesses told 13 WHAM the suspect fired at officers.
Police then opened fire at the suspect and killed him.
Police say their investigation is ongoing and the State Attorney General’s Office will also investigate, being it’s an officer-involved shooting.
School 23 went into lockout during the uproar following the shooting and students were dismissed early.