ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Police say a recent high-speed chase through the streets of Rochester has ended in the death of one man and three juveniles hospitalized. 

“The number of vehicles stolen in the city, Rochester and Monroe County has dropped this year, but despite our best efforts to hold those that bring this evil to our community and the destruction in our community accountable,” said Rochester Police Chief David Smith.

Police say the pursuit began early Thursday afternoon. Officers were called to Maria Street near Clifford Avenue to investigate shots fired within the area.

“The chief described a gunfight between children,” Rochester City Councilmember of the Northeast District Michael Patterson said. “I'm still outraged that this has occurred because this has happened so often that it's starting to seem like it's normal. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not normal behavior. This is not acceptable behavior.”

Police say they had located a 19-year-old suspect fleeing the scene with a 9mm handgun, which was later discarded after a foot chase toward Friedrich Park.

The suspect was then picked up in a different stolen Kia by a 17-year-old driver and an 18-year-old passenger fleeing the scene, according to police.

“I watched that body-worn camera video,” Smith said. “You can see the officer bracing in the car because he's pretty sure he's going to get hit pretty hard by this stolen Kia.”

Officers had located the vehicle, ending in a motor vehicle collision on the intersection of East Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. The operator of the vehicle, Thomas Chase, 92, of Brighton, died at the scene of the crash.

“Thomas Chase was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music,” Smith said. “He was an active volunteer across our community. He leaves behind a devastated family that is left to pick up the pieces because once again, teenagers are driving around recklessly in a stolen vehicle.”

Smith says the 17-year-old driver is a “career criminal.” Police say aside from the deadly crash, the juvenile has faced numerous criminal charges. 

“Somebody explain to me how a 17-year-old is on parole, how you are convicted of felonies in 2023 and you are out on the street in 2024,” Patterson said. “It seems like we keep arresting the same people with guns in our community and letting them go.”

“Everyone seems to play the blame game,” Smith said. “The judges will tell you they have no choice. The legislatures will tell you the judges have a choice. I don't know. You have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes it's a mixture of both. But I can tell you clearly it's a failure that's not ours.”

Police say earlier this year, the 17-year-old driver was arrested in connection with at least 12 burglaries across the city of Rochester and has utilized stolen vehicles to crash into storefronts and steal from within.

The 17-year-old is currently on parole for burglary and has been arrested by multiple agencies.

All three teens remain hospitalized and the police are working with the District Attorney’s Office regarding the appropriate charges.

Spectrum News 1 has also requested the release of the body cam footage, however police say this will be at the discretion of the district attorney.