In the warm evening of July 28, 2024, a celebratory gathering at Maplewood Park in Rochester, New York, turned into a scene of terror and tragedy. Among the hundreds of people enjoying a community cookout was 25-year-old Tyasia Manning, a city employee. Suddenly, the festive atmosphere was shattered by the eruption of gunfire, sending attendees scrambling for safety.
In the chaos that ensued, Manning was fatally shot.
Another woman, 34-year-old Phylicia Council, also lost her life in the violent outbreak. Five other individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting. Witnesses described a frantic scene as people ran for cover and some even attempted to perform CPR on a victim before paramedics could arrive.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement began an extensive investigation into the incident. While one man, Nigel Johnson, was arrested in connection with the events at the park, he was not charged with the murders of Manning and Council. Authorities have indicated that they are seeking at least three men who were believed to be armed at the park that day. Despite identifying more than a dozen individuals who were carrying guns, the investigation has been hampered by a lack of cooperation from the numerous witnesses present. As of a year after the tragic event, no arrests have been made specifically for the fatal shootings, leaving the families of Tyasia Manning and Phylicia Council still seeking justice.
