Rochester Police Investigate Tragic Shooting That Claims Woman’s Life Near Pulaski Park
Rochester, New York — A somber air hangs over the city of Rochester after a woman in her 30s passed away following a fatal shooting late Friday night near Gothic Street and Pulaski Park. The Rochester Police Department (RPD) confirmed the incident in an early morning briefing, describing it as both “tragic and senseless.”
According to preliminary reports, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Gothic Street just before midnight after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the area. When first responders arrived, they found a woman lying on the pavement near the edge of Pulaski Park, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to her upper body.
Emergency medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures before transporting her to Strong Memorial Hospital. Despite the urgent response, the woman was later pronounced deceased.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Erica Daniels, a lifelong Rochester resident who lived just a few blocks from where the shooting occurred. Friends describe her as warm, funny, and deeply devoted to her two young children. “Erica was the type of person who always made time for others,” said family friend Jasmine Cole. “She’d give you her last dollar if you needed it. She didn’t deserve this.”
Police believe Daniels had been visiting friends in the Pulaski Park neighborhood earlier in the evening before gunfire erupted. Witnesses told investigators they heard an argument followed by several shots, though it remains unclear whether Daniels was the intended target or an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
The area surrounding Gothic Street was temporarily cordoned off overnight as officers collected shell casings, canvassed nearby homes, and reviewed surveillance footage from the surrounding blocks. By Saturday morning, the crime scene had been cleared, but residents were still shaken.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said local resident Anthony Vega, who has lived near Pulaski Park for over a decade. “You used to be able to walk your dog here at night without worrying. Now everyone’s scared.”
Rochester Police Capt. Frank Simmons addressed reporters early Saturday, stating that detectives are “actively pursuing leads” and asking for the public’s assistance. “We are urging anyone who may have seen or heard something, no matter how small, to contact us,” Simmons said. “Every piece of information helps.”
The department also confirmed that this marks the 43rd homicide of the year in Rochester — a statistic that underscores the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. Police Chief David Smith acknowledged the community’s frustration, noting that “behind every statistic is a grieving family and a lost future.”
Daniels’ family is now left grappling with their sudden loss. Her sister, Tiana, spoke briefly to reporters outside their family home: “She had dreams. She wanted to start her own bakery one day. Now her kids will grow up without their mom.”
Community organizations, including Rise Up Rochester and Mothers in Mourning, have offered support to the Daniels family. A candlelight vigil is planned for Sunday evening at Pulaski Park, where friends and neighbors will gather to honor her memory and call for peace.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet named any suspects or made arrests, though they are confident that someone in the area may hold crucial information.
“This city deserves better,” Capt. Simmons said. “We will not rest until we bring justice for Erica and her loved ones.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rochester Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (585) 428-7157 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.
For now, a once-quiet corner near Pulaski Park has become the latest reminder of how quickly lives can be changed by violence — and how deeply a single loss can ripple through an entire community.
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