In the late hours of a spring evening in Rochester, New York, violence shattered the quiet of a neighborhood on the city's northwest side. On May 15, 2025, 55-year-old Michael Franklin, a male resident of the area, was found on the front porch of a house on Wolff Street, having been shot. Alongside him was another man, 58-year-old Eric Stephens, who had also suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the upper body.
The call to authorities came in around 11:30 p.m., and upon arrival, officers pronounced both men dead at the scene.
The home where the two men were discovered was known to police as a place frequented by drug users. Investigators began the difficult task of piecing together the events that led to the two deaths. It was believed that Stephens lived at the residence, while Franklin was a neighbor. This detail brought the tragedy even closer to home for the local community, highlighting that the violence had struck a familiar face in the neighborhood. The killings marked a grim milestone for the city, pushing the homicide count for the year into the double digits.
In the days that followed, the Rochester Police Department publicly identified the victims as Michael Franklin and Eric Stephens. While the investigation was taken over by the Major Crimes Unit, there was no immediate news of a breakthrough. Detectives canvassed the area around Wolff Street, Warner Street, and Rogers Avenue, searching for any information or video footage that could shed light on what happened. In the immediate aftermath, authorities reported no arrests and had no suspects in custody. The case remained open, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any tips that might lead to the person or people responsible for the deaths of Michael Franklin and Eric Stephens.
