Rochester, NY – A night meant to honor the memory of a fallen friend turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy late Tuesday, December 10, 2024, when gunfire erupted during the filming of a music video at a rented residence on Illinois Street. The violent incident claimed the life of 24-year-old Jahkeem Douglas and left four others injured, sparking grief in the community and renewed calls for action against gun violence. The shooting unfolded around 10:30 p.m., when a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered to film a music video in remembrance of DeAndre Jenkins, who had been killed on June 11, 2019. According to Rochester Police Department (RPD) officials, the gathering, which was intended to be a creative and healing outlet for mourning friends and family, devolved into a chaotic and deadly scene as multiple rounds of gunfire were discharged. RPD Captain Ryan Tauriello explained that officers were first alerted to the incident through reports of gunfire at the location.
By the time officers arrived, the scene was one of devastation. Several victims had already been rushed to Rochester General Hospital by private vehicles, while others remained at the site, injured or in shock. Officers discovered a fifth victim, later identified as Jahkeem Douglas, who was immediately transported to the University of Rochester Medical Center by ambulance. Tragically, Douglas succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of medical personnel. Douglas, who was well-known in the community, had been a young man with ambitions in music and a reputation for bringing people together through his artistry. His death has left a void in the lives of many who knew him, not only as a friend but as a source of inspiration in a neighborhood too often plagued by violence.
The four surviving victims sustained injuries of varying severity. A 19-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman, a 22-year-old man, and a 30-year-old man were among the injured. According to officials, one of the victims remains in critical condition, fighting for their life, while the other three are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not released the names of the injured individuals out of respect for their privacy and safety. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with dozens of people fleeing for cover as the gunfire erupted. An estimated 20 rounds were fired by multiple weapons, according to preliminary reports from the RPD.
Investigators from the Major Crimes Unit are working diligently to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or determined a motive. However, investigators are pursuing multiple leads and are confident that the community’s cooperation will be instrumental in solving the case. RPD has urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even the smallest details could prove critical to the investigation. Tips can be submitted by calling 911, emailing the Major Crimes Unit at majorcrimes@cityofrochester.gov, or contacting Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans condemned the violence, calling it “senseless” and “preventable.” With a tone of frustration and sorrow, Mayor Evans expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and implored the community to take a more active role in addressing the root causes of violence. “This is why we’re standing here today, and we shouldn’t be. Totally preventable, totally unnecessary, totally senseless, and total nonsense,” Evans said. He highlighted the importance of collective community efforts to disrupt cycles of violence before they escalate, urging residents to prioritize collaboration over reliance on government programs or quick fixes.
The tragedy on Illinois Street is emblematic of a larger crisis that continues to grip Rochester and many other cities across the United States. Gun violence has become a persistent and devastating issue, cutting lives short and leaving families and communities to pick up the pieces. The shooting comes at a time when the city has been grappling with rising homicide rates, even as local leaders and law enforcement agencies implement initiatives aimed at curbing violence. According to data from the RPD, Rochester has experienced an increase in gun-related incidents over the past year, with many of these incidents involving young people.
Community leaders and advocacy groups have responded to the shooting with renewed calls for action. Organizations such as Rise Up Rochester and the Rochester Peacemakers have been working tirelessly to address the root causes of violence, offering mentorship programs, conflict resolution workshops, and outreach efforts to at-risk youth. However, the scale of the problem often outpaces the resources available to these grassroots efforts. Rev. Lewis Stewart, a prominent voice in the fight against gun violence, described the incident as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. “We are losing too many of our young people to senseless violence,” Stewart said. “This is not just a law enforcement issue; it’s a community issue. We all have a role to play in creating a safer environment for our children and families.”
The location of the shooting—a rented residence used for a music video shoot—has also raised questions about the safety of informal gatherings and the potential risks associated with events that lack formal security measures. While such gatherings are often spaces for creativity and camaraderie, they can also become flashpoints for violence in communities where tensions run high. Residents of the Illinois Street neighborhood have expressed mixed reactions, with some calling for increased police patrols and others emphasizing the need for community-based solutions to address the underlying issues.
In the days following the shooting, a makeshift memorial for Jahkeem Douglas has taken shape near the site of the tragedy. Friends, family members, and community members have left flowers, candles, and handwritten notes, paying tribute to a young man whose life was cut short. “He was more than just a musician; he was a brother, a son, and a friend to so many,” one mourner said. “We have to honor his memory by working to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
The music video being filmed at the time of the shooting was intended to commemorate the life of DeAndre Jenkins, another young man whose death in 2019 left a lasting impact on the community. Jenkins’ murder remains unsolved, adding another layer of heartbreak to an already tragic story. The decision to create a tribute video was seen by many as a way to celebrate Jenkins’ life and keep his memory alive. Now, that effort has been overshadowed by yet another act of violence, leaving the community to grapple with compounded grief.
As the investigation into the Illinois Street shooting continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence. This includes not only law enforcement strategies but also investments in education, economic opportunities, and mental health resources. Many advocates argue that addressing these systemic issues is essential to breaking the cycles of violence that have devastated communities like Rochester’s.
For now, the focus remains on seeking justice for Jahkeem Douglas and the four injured victims, as well as supporting their families and loved ones in the wake of this tragedy. The community’s resilience will undoubtedly be tested in the days and weeks to come, but there is also hope that this incident will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. As Mayor Evans noted during his press conference, “We owe it to our young people to create a future where their potential is not cut short by senseless violence. We owe it to Jahkeem, to DeAndre, and to every victim whose story deserves to be more than a statistic.”
The tragic events on Illinois Street underscore the need for unity, action, and accountability. Whether through community engagement, policy changes, or individual acts of kindness and courage, the path forward will require the collective efforts of all who call Rochester home. In the words of one community member: “We can’t bring Jahkeem back, but we can honor him by fighting for a better future—a future where no more lives are lost to gun violence.”
