Jose Acevedo Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for Causing the Death of Sean Semprie

Rochester, NY- On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 34-year-old Jose Acevedo pled guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for causing the death of Sean Semprie.

On November 13, 2021, Rochester Police Officers responded to the Black Bear Pub on West Ridge Road in the City of Rochester. Upon arrival, they found 29-year-old Sean Semprie in the back parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Following a thorough investigation by the Rochester Police Department, Jose Acevedo was identified as the suspect. It was further determined that Jose Acevedo and Sean Semprie were involved in an earlier argument inside the bar. After the closing of the Black Bear Pub, Jose Acevedo approached Sean Semprie and shot him at point-blank range. Both men were known to each other.

The Rochester Police Department continued to investigate the incident. On March 11, 2024, an indictment was unsealed charging Jose Acevedo with the homicide. The defendant was already in custody in the New York State Department of Corrections on unrelated gun charges when he was indicted for shooting Sean Semprie.

Jose Acevedo will be sentenced to 22 years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus 5 years of post-release supervision. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Aliyah Fowler.

“The family of Sean Semprie has carried the weight of this tragedy for far too long, and while nothing can undo the pain of his loss, today’s plea ensures accountability,” said Assistant District Attorney Aliyah Fowler. “This cold-blooded, point-blank shooting was a deliberate act of violence that tore a young man from his loved ones. Jose Acevedo has shown himself to be a dangerous individual with no regard for human life. I want to thank the Rochester Police Department for their tireless work in bringing this case to resolution.”

“Gun violence devastates families and neighborhoods in our community, and the shooting death of Sean Semprie is a tragic example,” said Acting District Attorney Perry Duckles. “Sean Semprie’s life was senselessly taken in an act of calculated violence, and while we cannot bring him back, this outcome holds his killer responsible. I am proud of the work done by ADA Aliyah Fowler and the Rochester Police Department, to secure this result. The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue justice relentlessly for victims and their families, and we remain committed to making Monroe County a safer place for all.”

Jose Acevedo will be sentenced on October 15, 2025, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Dinolfo.