ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A shooting in downtown Rochester left two young men injured Wednesday evening, prompting a heavy police presence along one of the city’s busiest corridors.
According to the Rochester Police Department (RPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire just before 8 p.m. in the area of 1 East Avenue, near the intersection with Main Street. When officers arrived, they discovered evidence of a shooting, including multiple shell casings.
A short time later, officers located two victims, ages 17 and 19, sitting inside a car just a few blocks away from where the shooting was reported. Investigators believe the teens had been driving on East Avenue when an armed suspect on foot opened fire on their vehicle while it was stopped near a group of people.
Both victims were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment. Police said the 17-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to his lower body, while the 19-year-old male was shot in the upper body. Fortunately, their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Investigation Ongoing
As of Wednesday night, police had not made any arrests in connection with the shooting. Detectives are still working to determine a motive and whether the teens were specifically targeted or struck during a random act of violence.
The busy East Avenue corridor, home to restaurants, bars, and late-evening pedestrian traffic, was temporarily disrupted as police shut down portions of the road to process the scene. Witnesses reported seeing officers canvassing nearby businesses and speaking with bystanders who may have seen the shooter flee.
Community Concerns
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about youth violence in the Rochester area, where police have responded to several shootings involving teenagers in recent months. Community advocates continue to stress the importance of intervention programs and outreach aimed at keeping young people away from cycles of violence.
RPD is urging anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting or who may have surveillance video from nearby businesses to come forward. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.
The investigation remains active, and further updates are expected as detectives work to identify a suspect.
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