Jury Finds Raul Lazcano Guilty Of Murder In The 2nd Degree

Rochester, NY- On Wednesday, November 10, 2025, a Monroe County jury convicted 73-year-old Raul Lazcano of Murder in the 2nd Degree for killing Jose Hernandez.

On May 5, 2024, at approximately 6:15PM, Rochester Police Officers responded to an apartment complex on East Main Street in the City of Rochester for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, they located 68-year-old Jose Hernandez with a stab wound. The victim was immediately transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After a thorough investigation, Rochester Police Investigators determined that Jose Hernandez was sitting in a chair in the community room of the apartment complex, when Raul Lazcano, another resident of the complex, began screaming at Jose Hernandez. Lazcano left the room, grabbed a knife, returned to the room, and stabbed the victim. Both altercations were unprovoked. Raul Lazcano was arrested for the murder.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan, Chief of the Major Felony Bureau.

“The unprovoked stabbing of Jose Hernandez was a deliberate choice made by Raul Lazcano,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan. “Following a one-sided verbal conflict, the defendant had every opportunity to not engage or attack the victim. Instead, he violently took the life of Mr. Hernandez without any logical reason. While nothing can undo this violent murder, I hope this verdict brings some measure of justice to Mr. Hernandez’s family and loved ones, who have endured a shocking and unthinkable loss.”

“Jose Hernandez was attacked and killed in the very place where he should have felt safe, his own apartment building,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “The evidence showed that this was not a split-second act, but a purposeful and violent decision by Raul Lazcano, who chose to arm himself, return to the community room, and fatally stab an unarmed man who was seated and posed no threat. I commend the Rochester Police Department and Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan for their meticulous work in ensuring that the truth was presented clearly to the jury. This verdict holds the defendant accountable for a senseless act of violence.”

Raul Lazcano will be sentenced on January 26, 2026, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Dinolfo.