On February 21, 2017, Theodore Talerico was fatally shot on the 600 block of Kirkland Street in Utica.

Talerico’s killer has not been caught.

It’s one of the unsolved cases being put in the spotlight during the Utica Police Department's latest social media campaign. They're posting about unsolved cases, hoping their Facebook posts will encourage someone to provide new information.

"I think it’s certainly a major tool we can use to let people know what we’re looking for and what we need," said Utica Police Sgt. Michael Curley.

What You Need To Know

  • Utica Police have launched a social media campaign to help solve open investigations
  • Police are starting off the campaign with five cases
  • The hope is that someone will come forward with new information to help bring justice to the victim and their loved ones

Another case — the 2019 shooting of Todd Rodgers — is profiled. Sgt. Curley said Rodgers’ family has been cooperative, as families in these situations often want justice.

"I don’t think people can understand the true loss of an individual that was taken by a senseless act of violence, and the family has to live with that, so I think, and I hope, that people consider that when wanting to come forward, that it’s not just about providing information to bring justice. It’s about providing justice to a family that has lost a loved one," Curley said.

Over on Howard Avenue, police said Molik Liggins was shot multiple times on August 14, 2020. His friends and family have raised more than $6,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer. Maybe this campaign will encourage someone to come forward.

"So the whole part of the social media aspect is to get into the 21st age of policing and to connect with the community in a way that we previously did not prior to social media. With respect to the efficacy of how it’s working in departments across the country or locally, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s certainly bringing in calls for us and it gets our message out," said Curley.

In the past, Sgt. Curley said social media has been effective in encouraging people to anonymously call the police station with tips. He said many cases have leads, but not enough information to prosecute."

"We’re certainly looking for information, any little tidbit that you may not think is relevant certainly could be relevant to us to assist us and bring justice to these families," he said.

Anyone with information on these cases is asked to call the Utica Police Department at (315) 735-3301.