In the early morning hours of June 22, 2025, a verbal altercation in Rochester, New York, escalated into a fatal act of violence, claiming the life of 30-year-old David Vazquez. The dispute occurred in the rear of a residence on Oscar Street, a location known to authorities as an active drug house. During the argument, Vazquez was shot multiple times at point-blank range. The assailant then took Vazquez's money and fled the scene on a bicycle, leaving him in the backyard.
Vazquez was discovered around 7 a.m. and had already succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators from the Major Crimes unit quickly developed a description of the suspect. Later that morning, police spotted a man matching the description, later identified as 35-year-old Edison Estremera-Cohen, riding a bicycle near North Clinton Avenue. When three officers attempted to stop him, Estremera-Cohen fled, initiating a foot chase. During the pursuit, he fired a 9mm handgun at one of the officers, with the bullet narrowly missing the officer's head. The officer sustained injuries to his head and ear from the muzzle flash. Another officer returned fire, striking Estremera-Cohen three times in the upper body.
Following the confrontation, Estremera-Cohen was taken to the hospital and was listed in stable condition. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder in the second degree and robbery in the first degree for the death of David Vazquez. Additionally, he faced charges of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree for the shootout that occurred during his arrest. In a courtroom appearance attended by a large number of police officers showing their support, Estremera-Cohen pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was held without bail. It was later revealed that at the time of the incident, Estremera-Cohen was awaiting sentencing for two separate felony convictions for criminal possession of a controlled substance from the previous summer.
