Rochester Community Shaken as Police Investigate Homicide on Avenue D

Rochester Community Shaken as Police Investigate Homicide on Avenue D

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A troubling wave of grief and concern has swept across Rochester as police continue their investigation into a deadly incident discovered Sunday morning on the city’s northeast side. Authorities have identified the victim as 37-year-old Aaron Johnson-Haygood, who was found deceased in the basement of a vacant apartment building on Avenue D, between Remington Street and Joseph Avenue.

According to the Rochester Police Department (RPD), officers responded to the location following a report of an unresponsive individual. When they arrived around 10:30 a.m., they located Johnson-Haygood suffering from significant upper-body trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators quickly determined the case to be a homicide.

A Troubling Scene

Detectives say the apartment was vacant but actively used for drug sales, a factor they believe played a critical role in the circumstances leading to Johnson-Haygood’s death. While officials are still piecing together the timeline of events, they suspect the fatal attack may be directly tied to illegal drug activity happening within the building.

The discovery has once again cast a spotlight on the persistent struggles plaguing areas like Avenue D — neighborhoods caught at the intersection of economic hardship, crime, and communities fighting for safety and stability.

Remembering the Victim

Loved ones of Johnson-Haygood are grappling with the heartbreaking reality of his loss. Friends describe him as a man who, like many others in Rochester, faced challenges but was still someone’s family — someone whose life mattered. As those who knew him mourn, they are left searching for answers and hoping for justice.

Community members who live near the scene expressed shock and frustration, concerned about the ongoing criminal activity in the area. Several residents have spoken out, urging city leaders and law enforcement to continue strengthening efforts that prevent violence before it claims another life.

Investigation Ongoing

RPD’s Major Crimes Unit is actively working the case, interviewing individuals who may have had interactions with Johnson-Haygood in the hours leading up to his death. Police believe there are people in the community with valuable information and are pleading with the public to come forward.

Detectives are particularly interested in anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near the basement entrance or around the building Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

Community Impact & The Fight for Safer Streets

The homicide marks yet another life lost to violence in a city determined to confront the root causes behind such tragedies. Local leaders and neighborhood advocates continue pushing for programs aimed at:

• Reducing drug-related crime

• Expanding mental health and addiction support

• Creating safer housing conditions

• Strengthening communication between residents and law enforcement

The pain felt across Avenue D serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency behind these efforts.

Call for Assistance

Anyone with information about Johnson-Haygood’s death is urged to contact:

• RPD Major Crimes Unit

• Crime Stoppers (anonymous tips welcome)

Authorities stress that even the smallest piece of information could be vital in providing closure for a grieving family and preventing further violence.

A Community Demanding Justice

As Rochester mourns another life cut short, frustration mixes with sorrow — frustration over communities continually threatened by the pressures of drugs, poverty, and crime; sorrow for a man whose future was taken in an act of senseless violence.

For now, the community waits — for progress, for peace, and for justice for Aaron Johnson-Haygood.