On September 6, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced the city’s plan to partially defund its police force — moving its crisis intervention team from within the police department to its department of youth and recreation services. The mayor announced the move in a press conference after violent BLM protests were sparked by the March death of Daniel Prude.

Videos, like the one below, of BLM protesters, terrorizing customers at local restaurants in Rochester, NY stunned Americans:

On September 8, Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary and his entire command staff announced their retirement from the Rochester Police Department amid ongoing protests and violent riots.

“As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character. The events over the past week are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity. The members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what I stand for. The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude’s death is not based on facts and is not what I stand for.  

I would like to thank the men and women of the Rochester Police Department, as well as the Rochester Community for allowing me the honor of serving as your Chief and fulfilling a lifelong dream. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in my next chapter.”

Chief Singletary

Only four days ago, Mark Simmons was hired as the new interim chief of police.

Interim Police Chief Mark Simmons

Early Saturday morning, a memorial service turned party at a home near Goodman St. and Pennsylvania Ave., in Rochester, NY, became the scene of a horrific massive shooting.

LBC reports – The incident began just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday when police were called to a shooting near Goodman Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, where hundreds of people were gathering outside, local media reported.

Interim Police Chief Mark Simmon told BNO: “It appears to be some type of backyard party that the police department, up until the point the 9-1-1 calls came in for the shots fired, was not aware of.”

He also told reporters a man and woman aged between 18 and 22 died during the incident.

Speaking near the crime scene, which appeared to span at least a block, Simmons said: “This is truly a tragedy of epic proportions.”

He added: “This is yet another tragedy where individuals are having these illegal, unsanctioned house parties taking place in these properties, which – number one – is not safe because of COVID, because of the conditions.

“And then you add in alcohol and violence and it just becomes a recipe for disaster.”

The 14 people who were injured have been taken to two separate hospitals. None are believed to have life-threatening injuries.

This resident who heard the gunfire from his bedroom, a quarter of a mile away, said, “It sounded like somebody was trying to go to war.” He called it, “evil, very very evil.”

ABC News reports- A witness told ABC News affiliate in Rochester WHAM that the gunfire sounded “like the Vietnam War.”

When police arrived at the scene, Simmons said officers saw 100 people running to and from the location. Two people fleeing the scene were also injured. Up until the 911 call came in for the shooting, there were no calls to complain about the large gathering, he said.

“This tragic act of violence has impacted many people’s lives and families,” Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said in a statement provided to WHAM Saturday. “I’m begging everyone to remain calm and exercise deep restraint as RPD investigates what happened here and seeks those responsible.”

According to LBC News, a firearm has been recovered but there have been no arrests.

Watch:

 

Reporter Wendy Mills is reporting that the victims are between the ages of 17-23 yrs. old.

Pray for the city of Rochester, NY.

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