Murder Arrest (V) Zah’nia Barr

Rochester, NY - During the evening hours of August 1, 2026 there were several hundred people gathered on and around N. Clinton Ave. At about 12:30 am at least two people in the crowd began firing gunshots. One of those gunshots struck 14-year-old Zah’nia Barr in the head, killing her instantly. Detectives do not believe she was the intended target of the gunfire.

A short time later, 26-year-old Daequan Brown arrived by private vehicle at Rochester General Hospital with a gunshot wound to his ankle.

Since August 1, 2026, Major Crimes Homicide Detectives having been working to piece together the events of that evening. As a result of the investigation, Daequan Brown is charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree for the murder of Zah’nia Barr.

On September 30, 2026 at around 6:00 pm the Rochester Police Departments Tactical Unit located Daequan Brown in the area of Central Pk. Upon seeing officers, he fled and was taken into custody after a foot pursuit.

It is alleged in the criminal complaint that on the evening of August 1, 2026 the defendant was running thru the parking lot when he began to blindly fire a .380 caliber handgun in the direction of people fleeing in the parking lot. One of those gunshots struck Zha’nia Barr in the head and killed her.

Daequan is prohibited from legally possessing a handgun in NYS due to two prior felony convictions.

He is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Rochester City Court.