Family Reacts to Arrest in Gates Sneaker Homicide

Gates Police have a man in custody in connection with a homicide outside of a shoe store last week.

William Wilkins, 19, of Rochester, pleaded not guilty to attempted robbery and second-degree murder in Gates Town Court on Friday afternoon.

Court documents accuse him of attempting to rob and then shoot Montre Bradley, 19, outside the shoe store "Street Game" on Chili Avenue around 4am last Friday.

Bradley was in line at that hour to wait for the store's opening, when a new Nike sneaker would go on sale.

Police said Bradley was shot in the abdomen and later died.

Bradley was a recent graduate of Edison Tech and was planning to go to Monroe Community College to study criminal justice this fall.

The victim's family prayed for peace following the arrest and rejoiced at the Faith Temple of The Living God in Rochester.

"He said in the next 31 days all of the perpetrators will be caught," sung an aunt of Bradley.

Her voice filled the church, as family members clapped and sang along.

Through the music, the tears have not faded for the young man.

"He was a go-getter and he showed me how to push for my dreams and work for what I want. I loved that about him," said Devynn Sumrell, a cousin.

Devynn Sumrell said he looked up to his cousin and best friend. He said that Bradley was working on turning his life around and had already accomplished so much.

His family has said that Bradley moved to Rochester from California to get out of a gang and away from the violence.

He was now a high school graduate and had a job at Strong Hospital.

Word that one of the people police said was responsible for his death gave his family some relief.

"Justice has prevailed that they caught one of the young men. And I don't know how anyone else feels, but even his family, I believe, they are grieving," said Pastor Richard Williams, grandfather.

As Wilkins walked out of his arraignment in Gates, he told reporters, " I am innocent."

Gates Police say witness tips led them to Wilkins.

They are still looking for another suspect, who they say they have identified but have not released the name of at this time.

"We have worked hard because we have felt this is a tragic crime that took place," said Chief David DiCaro, Gates Police.

Police and the District Attorney's Office won't say who they think the shooter was. Wilkins is charged as an accessory to the law.

"Under accessory to law whether person conducting that conduct aiding and abetting you get the same criminal liability," said Tim Prosperi, Assistant District Attorney.

"The fact of the matter is they are both responsible and at this point not make any specific determination," said Chief DiCaro.

Gates Police said the investigation has been taxing on the department because it is so small and only has a few investigators. Other agencies have been helping out and they also credit witness and the public's help with tracking down their suspects. But they said the work is not over,

"We have been focused on two specific individuals all week and we have one of them and we are going to get the other one," said Chief Dicaro.

Bradley's family says it's not over for them either.

"I will not be completely satisfied until we as a family go to court with those young men," said Pastor Williams.

 Wilkins has a court appearance scheduled for next Wednesday at 4pm in the Town of Gates Court, however the District Attorney's Office has asked that the case be waived to a grand jury.