Kyshonn Green Sentenced to 23 years to Life

Rochester, NY- On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Monroe County Court Judge Douglas Randall sentenced 33-year-old Kyshonn Green to 23 years to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections. He was previously convicted by a jury of Murder in the 2nd Degree for the murder of J’Mere Ridley-Smith.

On July 26, 2025, at approximately 4:15PM, Gates Police Officers responded to the Wegmans distribution center on Brooks Avenue for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, 25-year-old J’Mere Ridley-Smith was found deceased inside the distribution center with multiple gunshot wounds. He was working at the time of the homicide.

After a thorough investigation, which included video evidence and eyewitness reports, Gates Police Detectives determined that Kyshonn Green, a different Wegmans employee, shot and killed J’Mere Ridley-Smith as the victim was working.

Following the homicide, Kyshonn Green fled New York State. He was apprehended in Knoxville, Tennessee by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and charged with the murder of J’Mere Ridley-Smith.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney James Nguyen, of the Special Victims Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland, Chief of the Local Courts Bureau.

“Today’s sentence cannot restore the life that was stolen from J’Mere Ridley-Smith or erase the profound grief his family has endured,” said Assistant District Attorney James Nguyen. “J’Mere went to work expecting an ordinary day and instead became the victim of a senseless act of violence. While no sentence can heal the pain of losing a son, family member, and loved one, I hope today’s resolution provides his family with a measure of peace and allows them to move forward without the burden of reliving this tragedy in the courtroom. I am deeply grateful to J’Mere’s family for the remarkable strength, dignity, and courage they demonstrated throughout this difficult process. I also commend the Gates Police Department for conducting an exceptional investigation that ensured this defendant was held fully accountable for his actions.”

“Kyshonn Green made the intentional decision to take a coworker’s life before fleeing the state in an attempt to evade responsibility for the murder of J’Mere Ridley-Smith,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “Justice in this case was made possible through the collaboration of the Gates Police Department, Rochester Police Department, Erie Police Department, Knoxville Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Monroe County Crime Laboratory, and Wegmans personnel, whose professionalism and commitment brought this defendant back to Monroe County to answer for his actions. I also commend Assistant District Attorneys James Nguyen and Kevin Sunderland for their exceptional work in securing this conviction and standing alongside J’Mere Ridley-Smith’s family every step of the way.”