The Rochester Police Department is calling on the community to help stop the violence after multiple shootings in the city Thursday night.

There were four incidents in total, with one of them resulting in the deaths of two young Rochester residents, ages 21 and 19. 

What You Need To Know

  • The RPD is calling on the community to help put an end to the recent string of violence in the city

  • Four shootings Thursday night, including a double-murder, has police asking questions, and asking people to call 911 when they see a crime occurring

  • Amir Starks, 19, and Nazier McFadden, 21, both were shot while in a car at a gas station 

  • The RPD is partnering with Monroe County law enforcement and NYS Troopers to patrol "hot spots" of violence 

Amir Starks, 19, and Nazier McFadden, 21, were shot at a Sunoco gas station on West Main Street near Reynolds Street.

McFadden died hours after celebrating his 21st birthday.

"Anytime this community is dealt with a loss of life, we are deeply saddened. But that sadness is now compounded when the victims are such a young age. Where their futures and their potential are snatched away needlessly," said RPD Deputy Chief Mark Simmons. 

Four separate shootings on Thursday night, including that double-murder, has the Rochester Police Department asking questions.

"Why? Why all the violence?" asked Simmons. 

Simmons says he believes most of the shootings begin when people with handguns get into minor disputes. 

"Whether it's a lack of conflict resolution, the fact that they have these handguns so readily available, that typically if you have a handgun with you, you're more likely to use it," he said.

The RPD is partnering with Monroe County law enforcement and New York State Troopers to patrol "hot spots" of violence to prevent more shootings from happening.

"Twenty-four guns have been removed off the streets in this week alone. So the question remains, where are these guns coming from?" Simmons said. 

The RPD is tracing where people are getting the guns to stop them from coming into the city in the first place, but Simmons says they can't do it alone. They need people in the community to call 911 when they see crime.