Portland Avenue Shooting Arrest

Rochester, NY - On January 12, around 3pm, Officers responded to Rochester General Hospital for the report of two people that had arrived with gunshot wounds. A 19-year old female from Webster NY was suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the upper body and a 19-year old male City of Rochester resident was suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wound to the lower body.

The preliminary investigation found that the victims had driven to the 1100 block of Portland Avenue in order to purchase marijuana. While outside of the location, the suspect exited his vehicle and shot at multiple people, striking the two victims. The victims were able to flee the location and drive to Rochester General Hospital. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Section’s Non-Fatal Shooting Unit were able to identify 19-year old Jacob Rivera as the suspected shooter. On January 16, the Rochester Police Department’s Tactical Unit located Rivera during a traffic stop on West Broad Street. While taking Rivera into custody, Officers located a Taurus 9mm handgun, loaded with 11 rounds, in his jacket pocket. He was safely taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Jail.

Jacob Rivera, age 19, is charged with two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, and Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree for his actions on Portland Avenue. He is also charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd and 3rd Degree for possessing the Taurus handgun, with an extended magazine, at the time of his arrest.

Additionally, Rivera has been charged Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd and 3rd Degree relating to an incident on October 7, 2025, on Emerson Street, in which Rivera was found in possession of a Taurus 9mm handgun during an investigation into him having been shot.