On the evening of October 2, 2020, in Rochester, New York, 18-year-old Lysaun 'Saun' Curry was fatally shot on Trenaman Street. The young man, who had recently graduated from Northeast College Prep, was the victim of what prosecutors described as an 'ambush-style' killing. Responding Rochester Police Officers found him at the scene where he was pronounced dead, having been shot 12 times.
The attack was a deliberate act, with the perpetrator hiding in the dark and waiting to ambush Curry.
The investigation into the murder of the innocent teenager led authorities to Jonathan Spinks, a man who was known to Curry. Eight days after Curry's death, Spinks committed another violent crime, entering a woman's home and shooting her multiple times. His arrest for this attempted murder ultimately linked him to Curry's homicide. The extensive investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department resulted in Spinks being charged with the murder of Lysaun Curry.
In October 2022, a Monroe County jury convicted 30-year-old Jonathan Spinks on all charges, including Murder in the 2nd Degree for the death of Lysaun Curry. His conviction also encompassed charges of Attempted Murder, Assault, Burglary, and multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon related to both attacks. Assistant District Attorney Robin Catalano, who prosecuted the case, stated that Spinks had violently stalked and murdered the teenager.
In December 2022, Jonathan Spinks was sentenced to 90 years to life in prison for his crimes. The sentencing brought a measure of closure to the family of Lysaun Curry and the surviving victim of Spinks's violent spree, ensuring that he would no longer be a threat to the community. The case highlighted the determined efforts of the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office to bring a dangerous offender to justice.
