On a cold November evening in Rochester, New York, just days before Thanksgiving, the life of 12-year-old Juan Lopez, affectionately known as 'Juano,' was tragically cut short. On November 21, 2022, the seventh-grade student from Benjamin Franklin Educational Campus was walking down Atkinson Street when he was fatally shot. The sudden violence of that night left the southwest Rochester neighborhood in a state of shock and mourning.
In the immediate aftermath, a 16-year-old boy was also found nearby with a gunshot wound, though his injuries were not life-threatening. Authorities considered the two shootings to be part of the same incident.
The community grieved the loss of a young boy described by his family and friends as happy, sweet, and full of life. Neighbors and even strangers came together to create a memorial of candles and balloons on the sidewalk where he was killed. Local businesses also rallied to support the grieving Lopez family, organizing fundraisers to help with expenses and to provide broader support for the city's youth. The palpable sense of loss was compounded by the senselessness of a child being killed while simply walking down the street.
In the months that followed, Juan's family grappled with their immense loss while seeking justice. Their frustration grew as they felt there was inaction from law enforcement. The family publicly identified a 16-year-old, James Fernandez-Reyes, as the person they believe is responsible for Juan's death. They alleged that there were text messages from Fernandez-Reyes in which he claimed responsibility for the shooting. Their fears and frustrations were amplified when, less than six months later, Fernandez-Reyes was arrested in connection with a triple homicide in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Despite the family's pleas and the evidence they cited, as of mid-2023, no charges had been filed against Fernandez-Reyes in relation to the death of Juan Lopez.
