Rochester, NY — April 30, 2025

Just after midnight on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Rochester Police Department responded swiftly to reports of gunfire in the city’s northeast quadrant, after a ShotSpotter activation and a follow-up 911 call alerted authorities to multiple shots fired near the intersection of Alphonse and Thomas Streets.

According to an official press release issued by the Rochester Police Department (RPD), the first alerts were received at approximately 12:06 a.m., when the city’s ShotSpotter technology—an acoustic gunfire detection system—identified the sound of gunfire in a residential area. Moments later, dispatchers received several 911 calls from residents reporting gunshots and shouting outside their homes.

Police Response and Initial Investigation

Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and began canvassing the area. At least a dozen evidence markers were placed at the intersection and surrounding streets, indicating the recovery of multiple shell casings. Police reported that they found no immediate victims upon arrival, but blood evidence at the scene suggested that at least one person may have been injured and fled or was transported privately from the location.

Neighbors reported being awakened by the sound of rapid gunfire, followed by the screech of tires and what some described as “chaotic yelling” in the distance. A resident on Thomas Street, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters:

“It was like a warzone. I hit the floor when I heard the shots. You could tell it was more than one gun—sounded like a shootout.”

Police blocked off a portion of the intersection for several hours as the crime scene unit conducted their investigation, using flashlights and drones to collect evidence and scan nearby yards and alleyways. K-9 units were also seen searching the vicinity, though it’s unclear if any suspects were apprehended during the night.

No Victims Found at Scene, Area Hospitals on Alert

As of Wednesday morning, no gunshot victims had been located at the scene. However, law enforcement sources confirmed that area hospitals were placed on alert to report any walk-in patients with gunshot wounds that could be connected to the incident.

RPD has not confirmed whether any individuals later sought treatment, but said detectives are reviewing hospital records and cross-referencing with surveillance footage from the neighborhood.

Community Concerns and Ongoing Violence

This latest burst of violence marks yet another troubling incident in a city that has struggled with a steady rate of gun-related crimes in recent years. The area around Alphonse and Thomas Streets has seen a spike in shootings over the past year, despite continued efforts by law enforcement and community groups to curb gun violence through outreach, patrols, and intervention programs.

City Councilmember LaShonda Green, who represents the area, expressed frustration but emphasized the importance of community cooperation with investigators.

“We cannot allow our neighborhoods to be battlegrounds. People deserve to feel safe in their homes,” she said in a statement. “If anyone saw anything—anything at all—they need to speak up.”

RPD Urges Public Assistance

The Rochester Police Department has urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Detectives are particularly interested in any home security footage, dashcam recordings, or eyewitness testimony that may help identify those involved.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet identified any suspects or motives behind the shooting. Police have not ruled out the possibility of the incident being gang-related, though officials say it is too early to make any determinations.

Conclusion

As Rochester police continue to investigate the early-morning gunfire, the community remains on edge, grappling with the growing concern over public safety and the prevalence of firearms in residential neighborhoods. For now, residents are left with unanswered questions and renewed calls for peace, as the city faces another reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence at its root.

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