Rochester Mayor calling on community to speak up about violence

Friday Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy recognized the Rochester Police Department Homicide Unit for closing 16 homicides this year. But one case with more than a dozen witnesses remains unsolved. “Those cops are here for homicide they need somebody to say, "this person did it I saw it," said Duffy.

Latasha Shaw was beaten and stabbed to death at the corner of Dewey and Driving Park Road on September 30th. So far police have not made an arrest. Mayor Duffy blames the cities "no snitching” subculture for blocking the investigation. “It is the lack of character of some of those witnesses that know there are people that know exactly who was involved but they're not saying it” said Duffy.

21-year-old Angelica Santos was also honored for helping a shooting victim last year on Driving Park Road, just a few blocks from where Shaw was killed. “He needed help and I'm not gonna just keep going when I see someone that needs help,” said Santos.

Despite her efforts 19-year-old Freddie Mason later died at the hospital.

“We honor a young woman who was driving by, stops and gives aid to a man who was killed last year a block away from the same area we had a woman stabbed to death recently, with all these witnesses and nobody helps,” said Duffy.

Duffy believes as long as people don't speak out they're just as responsible for the violence that continues to grip the city. “Those who know who committed a homicide have no standing with me to complain six months a year down the road if something happens to one of their family members because anyone who takes a life will do it again and again and again,” added Mayor Duffy.