In the summer of 2019, the life of 31-year-old Alton Carelock Jr. was tragically cut short on a street in Rochester, New York. On June 30th, police responded to reports of a shooting on Mohawk Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Carelock suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, was described by prosecutors as a senseless execution. Carelock was shot a total of eleven times.
Following the shooting, the Rochester Police Department launched a thorough and lengthy investigation into the homicide. Their efforts eventually led to the identification of two suspects, Keith Rodney and Ronell Weaver. After gathering sufficient evidence, the case was presented to a Monroe County Grand Jury, which handed down indictments against both men for their alleged involvement in Carelock's death. This marked a significant turning point in the pursuit of justice for Carelock and his family, which included his three young children.
The legal process moved forward, and in June 2022, nearly three years after the fatal shooting, one of the suspects, 18-year-old Keith Rodney, stood trial. A Monroe County jury found Rodney guilty of second-degree murder and six counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The following month, in July 2022, Rodney was sentenced to serve 17 and one-third years to life in state prison. The conviction and sentencing were seen by the District Attorney's office as a message that violent acts would not be tolerated in the community. The second suspect, Ronell Weaver, was scheduled to face trial in October of the same year.
