On a summer evening in Rochester, New York, the life of 22-year-old Shaqur Nesmith was tragically cut short. On July 22, 2020, Nesmith was at the corner of Jay and Orchard streets when a vehicle drove by. From inside the car, multiple shots were fired in his direction. The young man was struck by the gunfire and rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The male victim's death was ruled a homicide, sparking an investigation by the Rochester Police Department.
The investigation into Nesmith's killing led police to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting. In October of the same year, authorities arrested 25-year-old Nicholas Serret in connection with the crime. Prosecutors stated that Serret was the individual who drove past the intersection, identified Nesmith, and fired between six and ten rounds at him. The motive for the shooting was not made public.
In January 2022, Nicholas Serret pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter. By accepting the plea deal, he admitted to being responsible for Nesmith's death. In April of that year, a judge sentenced Serret to 20 years in the New York State Department of Corrections. Following his release from prison, he will be subject to five years of post-release supervision. The resolution of the case brought a measure of justice for the violent act that ended a young life.
