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Murder Arrest: 435 Smith Street


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On August 23, 2025, at about 4:30 PM, 68-year-old Gilberto Morales-Cruz was riding his bicycle alone down Smith St. when he was shot and killed in a robbery involving two suspects. As a result of the investigation, Major Crimes Homicide Detectives identified the two suspects as 18- year-old Yasir Hall and 16-year-old Javeon Lopes (City of Rochester residents). The suspects and 68-year-old Gilberto Morales-Cruz were not known to each other prior to the murder.


On 8/25/25 members of the Rochester Police Department’s Tactical Unit and Special Investigations Section observed Hall and Lopes in the area of Child St. and Lyell Ave. As the officers approached, both fled on foot. They were each taken into custody after foot chases and they both were found to be in possession of loaded handguns. Additional investigation including a search warrant by the SWAT team, resulted in the recovery of other evidence of the murder as well as one additional handgun, an MP5 rifle.


Pertaining to the robbery/murder of Gilberto Morales-Cruz, both suspects have been charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree, Robbery in the 1st Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree. Both suspects have also been charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for the loaded handguns they possessed at the time of their arrest. Yasir Hall faces an additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree for fentanyl he also had on him at the time of his arrest.


Hall will be arraigned in Rochester City Court on 8/26/25 at 9:30 AM. Javeon Lopes was arraigned overnight in Monroe County Youth Court and remanded to the Children’s Detention Center. Additional charges may be considered against both suspects by a Monroe County Grand Jury.

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Minority Reporter (MR) is a local community newspaper covering news and issues relevant to the Rochester, NY community. MR is committed to fostering self awareness, building community and empowering people of color to reach their greatest potential. Further, MR seeks to present a balanced view of relevant issues, utilizing its resources to build bridges among diverse populations; taking them from information to understanding.

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