In the early morning hours of May 27, 2026, the quiet of a Perinton, New York, apartment complex was shattered by a violent act that claimed the life of 32-year-old Ezra John Nunez. Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the residence on Pittsford Palmyra Road at approximately 1:43 a.m. following a report of an unresponsive male. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr. Nunez deceased inside his second-floor apartment from a gunshot wound.
Friends and family remembered him as a man whose bright smile could light up a room and whose infectious positivity left a lasting impact on those who knew him. His sudden and tragic death left a void in the lives of his loved ones, including his parents, brother, and grandmother.
Investigators immediately launched a tireless and intensive investigation into the homicide. Through the review of surveillance footage, witness interviews, and the execution of search warrants, authorities swiftly identified a suspect. Later that same day, 35-year-old Tyree Ross-Simmons of Rochester was taken into custody in downtown Rochester and charged with second-degree murder. Authorities described Ross-Simmons as a predicate felon with a significant criminal history, including prior felony convictions for drugs and weapons in multiple states. The shooting was characterized by investigators as a targeted act of violence rather than a random event posing a threat to the wider community.
As the investigation progressed, it became evident that Ross-Simmons had not acted alone. Diligent work by detectives and technicians uncovered additional evidence, revealing a robbery plot and indicating that at least one individual had been untruthful in their initial statements to the police. This led to further arrests on June 9, 2026, when Destiny Cotto, 27, and Ja'Quez Riley-Hill, 20, both from Rochester, were taken into custody. They face charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office stated that all three individuals played a significant role in the death of Ezra John Nunez, with robbery being the primary motive. All three suspects are being held in the Monroe County Jail without bail as they await their next court appearances. The case against the trio is in its early stages, with the legal process just beginning to unfold to bring justice for Ezra John Nunez and his grieving family.
