Murder Arrest

Rochester, NY - On September 19, 2023 at about 9:15 pm, 48- year-old Derrick Ellis was shot in the upper-body near the corner of Diringer Place and N. Goodman St. Ellis was rushed to URMC where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

Ellis was standing on a porch at a residence on Diringer Pl. when he was shot by an unknown suspect. The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident were investigated by Rochester Police Major Crimes Detectives.

Detectives soon developed Tavontay Haygood, 32 (Rochester resident), as the possible suspect. Detectives believe the murder was related to an ongoing dispute with Ellis and continued establishing leads on the case.

Coincidentally, on July 9, 2025, Haygood was arrested for the July 9, 2025 murder of Karen Wargo at 119 Pleasant Street. He is currently awaiting trial for that arrest. Detectives continued working with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office on the murder of Derrick Ellis.

In April, a Monroe County Grand Jury heard evidence presented against Haygood, and voted to indict Haygood for the murder of Ellis.

On April 22, 2026, Haygood was arraigned and charged with Murder 2nd degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree.

Haygood has three prior felony convictions and four misdemeanor convictions.