ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Police say a suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting of two officers, one fatally, Thursday night on Bauman Street.

RPD Chief David Smith says Kelvin Vickers, 21, of Boston, Massachusetts, is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held in the Monroe County Jail and will be arraigned Saturday in Rochester City Court.

Smith said Anthony Mazurkiewicz, a 29-year RPD veteran, was killed after being shot in the upper body. His partner, Officer Sino Seng, an eight-year RPD veteran, was shot in the lower body and treated at Rochester General Hospital. He has since been released. 

A third person, since identified by police as a 15-year-old girl, was also wounded.

"Yesterday morning, at 11 a.m., I was asked by the media, 'how dangerous is it out there for the officers of the Rochester Police Department?' My response was that every day, the men and women of this department leave home, not knowing if they are going to return home at the end of their shift," Smith said. "Ten hours later, Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, a father, a husband and a 29-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on Bauman Street while in service to our community."

 

Mayor Malik Evans released a statement after the passing of Officer Mazurkiewicz, saying:

"Today is a sad day for our community. This is a nightmare for any family. It is punctuated even more when that person is a police officer; because every day when they kiss their loved ones goodbye, they know it could be their last one.

Officer Tony Mazurkiewicz and Officer Sino Seng were out yesterday trying to combat the violence and carnage that the Chief and I have been talking about over the last six months. Tony Mazurkiewicz could have easily retired, but he chose to continue going on the streets because he didn’t want folks in our neighborhoods to be held hostage by the very cowards that are wreaking havoc in our community.

Not only am I sad for the Mazurkiewicz family, and we pray for the speedy recovery of Sino Seng, I am angry. And upset. Because all too often, we are seeing a blatant disregard for life. Whether it be a woman sitting on her porch, or a 10-year-old girl braiding her mother’s hair, and now, an officer in the line of duty working to keep our city safe.

I want to offer my prayers to the family and all of the men and women of the Police Department in our city. These officers were out all night answering calls even though they knew their colleagues were wounded. Even now, they’re out answering calls.

I’m asking that you keep the Mazurkiewicz family and all of their colleagues in prayer. The mental health and safety of our officers is one of my top priorities."

On Friday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello ordered flags at all Monroe County facilities to fly at half-staff in honor of Officer Mazurkiewicz, adding:

"All of Monroe County mourns today as we learn Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, one of the brave Rochester police officers shot on Bauman Street last night, succumbed to his injuries," he said in a statement. "There are no words to adequately express the heartbreak and loss suffered by his family and our community through this senseless murder. This was a despicable act of violence, emblematic of the ongoing wave of gang violence and shootings plaguing our city. This officer died a hero, making the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community and make our streets safer. May we never forget his service and sacrifice. Our hearts go out to Officer Mazurkiewicz’s family, friends and fellow officers and we pray for the rapid recovery of Officer Sino Seng. I pledge to continue my close work with Mayor Evans, Chief Smith, and Sheriff Baxter to ensure our public safety, and will make any necessary county resources available to these efforts." 

Former RPD chief and congressional candidate La’Ron Singletary also released a statement, saying in full:

"As the former Police Chief, my heart is hurting and I am thinking of the men and women of the RPD after learning that two former colleagues were shot during a detail on Bauman Street, killing one and injuring another. These brave heroes were doing their job protecting the citizens of our city and were viciously attacked by a coward who has no regard for human life. Our city is under siege, and we must stand with those who have sworn an oath to serve and protect us. Join me in praying for all the men and women of the Rochester Police Department and especially for the two heroes who knowingly put themselves in harm’s way in service to our city and its citizens.”  

Smith said a number of law enforcement agencies responded to the scene Thursday night, including the U.S. Marshall’s Service, ATF, New York State Police, New York State Parole, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Monroe County Probation, Town of Greece Police, Town of Irondequoit Police, Town of Gates Police, Town of Brighton Police, Town of Webster Police and Village of East Rochester Police.