Wegmans and Amazon warehouse shootings in upstate NY: What we know now
While both incidents happened at large distribution centers, investigators say that the two shootings were not related.
Man fatally shot at Wegmans warehouse
A man in his 20s was shot and killed July 26 at the Wegmans distribution center located at 1500 Brooks Avenue, according to the Gates Police Department. The facility is just down the road from the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
Officers were called to the scene around 4:15 p.m. and arrived to find a man who had been shot multiple times, said Gates Police Chief Rob Long. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim's identity was not released, pending family notification.
The suspected shooter fled the scene before police arrived, Long said. No charges have been filed in connection with the homicide. Long said police are investigating to determine the circumstances of what led to the shooting, where at the facility the slaying occurred and how it unfolded, he said.
Long also said that he did not know whether the shooter was a Wegmans employee.
Wegmans released a statement over the weekend and confirmed that the shooting victim was a Wegmans employee.
'We are heartbroken by this tragic situation that resulted in the death of one of our employees. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victim's family and loved ones," the statement said. "Our focus right now is taking care of our employees and supporting local law enforcement with their investigation.'
The investigation remains ongoing.
Separate fatal shooting at Amazon fulfillment center
Gates police are also continuing to investigate a separate fatal shooting that occurred at an Amazon warehouse located at 2600 Manitou Road.
Markis Ortiz-Harris, 24, of Rochester, was shot to death on July 24, around 5:45 p.m. while sitting inside his car in the facility's parking lot, according to Gates police. He was an Amazon employee.
Ortiz-Harris was waiting for his shift to begin when the shooting took place. Police said the shooter approached the vehicle, the pair argued and the suspect fired multiple shots before fleeing.
'There is no indication at this time that the shooter was an employee of Amazon,' said Gates Police Capt. Matthew Pascarella.
Investigators believe the incident was a targeted and isolated attack.
No charges have been filed in connection with the shooting death.
Police say incidents not related
While both shootings occurred at high-profile workplaces in Gates within days of each other, police do not believe the two cases are connected.
The shooting outside the Amazon facility marked Gates' first homicide of 2025. The Wegmans warehouse homicide marked town's second homicide of the year.
"Unfortunately, just like any other community, violence can happen," Long said at a Saturday news conference. "Unfortunately this week we had two serious incidents happen in the Town of Gates. Very uncommon here."
What's next?
Gates Police will be holding a news conference at the department on Buffalo Road at 10 a.m. on July 28 to release additional details on the homicide at the Wegmans warehouse. Long said the agency plans to officially identify the slain man at that time.
Anyone with information about either shooting is urged to call 911 or contact Gates police at (585) 247-2262.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wegmans and Amazon warehouse shootings in upstate NY: What we know now
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
a few seconds ago
- CBS News
Fort Worth police, SWAT respond to barricaded person; no injuries reported
A suspect fired shots and has barricaded themselves in a Fort Worth home Monday night, police said. Police were initially notified of a "person in distress call" to 911. As first responders arrived, shots were heard from inside the home in the 8100 block of Heron Drive, police said. Fort Worth police said SWAT is en route and they do not believe it is a hostage situation. Police also said no officers have fired any shots and no injuries have been reported. This is a developing story. We'll update as more information becomes available.
Fox News
2 minutes ago
- Fox News
Three dead, 10 wounded in Turks and Caicos Islands nightclub mass shooting attack
Turks and Caicos officials condemn nightclub shooting that killed three and wounded ten, as Premier Misick warns against gangland violence affecting the territory. (Credit: Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force)
Fox News
2 minutes ago
- Fox News
Mamdani's past 'defund the police' stance resurfaces after deadly Manhattan shooting
New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mandani is facing renewed scrutiny for his past stances on policing in the wake of an office building mass shooting in midtown Manhattan that left four civilians dead as well as a police officer. The shooter was neutralized as more information is being learned about the alleged gunman, Shane Tamura of Las Vegas. "I'm heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in Midtown and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts. Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground," Mamdani posted to X on Monday night. In the replies, people quickly shared images of a June 8, 2020, post where Mamdani said "No, we want to defund the police" and a Nov. 5, 2020, post where he said "Queer liberation means defund the police." "We don't need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD. But your deal with [New York City mayor] uses budget tricks to keep as many cops as possible on the beat. NO to fake cuts - defund the police," he posted on June 28, 2020. In December of the same year, he also called for it to be "dismantled." "All this misery. All for money. In the last budget, the City Council tried to make the NYPD reduce its overtime budget by half. They simply refused. There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence," he wrote. However, he sang a different tune during a mayoral debate in his primary. "I will not defund the police. I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play in public service, public safety," he said. On his campaign website, he calls for the creation of a Department of Public Safety. "Police have a critical role to play. But right now, we're relying on them to deal with the failures of our social safety net—which prevents them from doing their actual jobs. Through this new city agency and whole-of-government approach, community safety will be prioritized like never before in NYC," the website states. Other mayoral candidates also condemned the tragedy in Manhattan on Monday night, including incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former city police officer. "I am going to over to the hospital to speak with the families and loved ones involved in this incident," Adams said in a video. "Horrified by the shooting in Midtown. I'm grateful for the courage of our NYPD and first responders, and my prayers are with the victims and their families," former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo posted. "Disturbing reports out of Midtown Manhattan—multiple people reportedly shot, including an NYPD officer. Praying for everyone affected. Grateful to our first responders who run toward danger to keep us safe," Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa wrote. The four-way mayoral race is on Nov. 4. Adams opted to run as an Independent after being the Democratic nominee last cycle, and Cuomo's decision to remain in the race comes after Mamdani defeated him in the primary in what some considered an upset victory. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's campaign for comment, but they did not immediately respond
