In memory of the victims of the Maplewood Park mass shooting, a community prayer

Rochester, New York – Following a shooting in Maplewood Park that left two people dead and five injured, the Rochester community is still in shock. The incident happened at a BBQ.

Community members gathered at Parcel 5 on Monday, over twenty-four hours after the gunfire began, to honor Tyasia Manning and Phylicia Council, the two individuals who lost their lives.

“We are tired. We’re tired of the violence,” said Jamon Meeks of Rochester. “It’s nonsense honestly. And we just want our community back.”

Prayers for peace were accepted at the vigil at Parcel 5. A few of the attendees had already visited Maplewood Park prior to the incident.

“I left church, actually stopped by the event after church then went home,” said James Highsmith Jr. of Rochester. “I was home, and I was watching Facebook, and I saw a post from a friend of mine who was a nurse and there and it’s just tragic.”

Speaking to the group of people gathered around the I Heart ROC sign at Parcel 5, Assembly member Demond Meeks, State Senator Jeremy Cooney, and other community advocates conveyed a clear message to the community. Speak up if you see something.

“It’s a lot of eyes, it’s a lot of ears, people know what’s going on, but they want to live by this street code of no snitching, no telling on what’s going on, and honestly that’s what’s pulling our community down,” said Jamon Meeks.

Manning was a city employee who worked at the Carter Street R-Center. “I’m sure that they didn’t believe at the beginning of the day that they would be saying bye to their loved ones,” said Shameka Zarcone of Rochester.

The public’s assistance is being requested by the police as they continue their hunt for the perpetrators of the mass shooting. Please contact Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300 if you have any information or footage of the situation.