Manuel Manny Alejandro Rivera, a 16-year-old Hispanic/Latino male, was tragically killed on August 7, 2021, in Rochester, New York. He was an innocent bystander at a cookout on Hague Street when a violent altercation erupted. The dispute began when a man, later identified as Douglas Smith, confronted another individual, Johnny Rodriguez, about dirt bikes and ATVs speeding on the street.
The argument between Smith and Rodriguez quickly escalated, leading to both men drawing firearms and
exchanging gunfire. During the shootout, Manuel, who was not involved in the conflict, was struck by the crossfire. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following an investigation into the fatal shooting, authorities arrested both Douglas Smith and Johnny Rodriguez. Smith was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. After a trial, he was convicted of the charges against him and subsequently sentenced to a term of 25 years to life in prison. Reports indicated that Smith had a prior history of violent behavior, which was a contributing factor in the length of his sentence.
Johnny Rodriguez, the other man involved in the shootout, faced a charge of criminal possession of a weapon. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge and was awaiting sentencing for his role in the incident that led to the untimely death of Manuel Manny Alejandro Rivera.
