Quentin Riviere Sentenced to 55 Years to Life and Nasezire Horton Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for the Homicide of Rukia Issack

Rochester, NY- On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Monroe County Court Judge Michael Dollinger sentenced 22-year-old Quentin Riviere to 55 years to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections, and sentenced 22-year-old Nasezire Horton to 25 years to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections. Both defendants were previously convicted by a jury of Murder in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree. Quentin Riviere was also convicted of an additional count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for perpetrating a separate but related shooting on August 1, 2024 in the parking lot of a Price Rite grocery store located in the City of Rochester.

On August 12, 2024, at approximately 5:00PM, Rochester Police Officers responded to Hazelwood Terrace near Denver Street for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, they located 19-year-old Rukia Issack, a 16-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old boy, all three of whom were shot. All three victims were rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, where Rukia Issack later died from her injuries, despite lifesaving efforts by first responders and medical staff. The two male victims eventually recovered.

After a thorough investigation, Rochester Police Detectives determined that this was a targeted shooting, although Rukia Issack was not the intended target. The investigation revealed that Nasezire Horton and Quentin Riviere both opened fire on the three teenagers, striking all three. Both defendants were wearing Parole-issued GPS monitors at the time of the fatal shooting. Three days following the shooting, Nasezire Horton and Quentin Riviere were arrested for the murder of Ms. Issack, and the attempted murders of the two young men. Both defendants were located at a house on Edmonds Street, where they were in possession of illegal narcotics.

Nasezire Horton currently has a pending, unrelated, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree indictment and a pending, unrelated, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th Degree indictment, both also in front of Judge Dollinger.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorneys Anthony Freeman and Aliyah Fowler.

“On August 12, 2024, Nasezire Horton and Quentin Riviere chose to unleash gunfire in a residential neighborhood, forever changing multiple lives and killing an innocent young woman,” said Assistant District Attorney Anthony Freeman. “Rukia Issack was not the intended target, but she paid the ultimate price for the defendants’ reckless and violent actions. The defendants showed a complete disregard for human life, for public safety, and for the conditions of their parole. These sentences reflect the gravity of that violence and hold these defendants accountable for the fear, loss, and devastation they caused. I am grateful to the Rochester Police Crime Laboratory, District Attorney Investigators, and our Victim Advocate for their unwavering commitment to justice in this case.”

“Rukia Issack was a 19-year-old woman whose life was cut short far too soon. She was a daughter, a mother, and someone deeply loved by her family and community,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “Her death is a heartbreaking reminder of the lasting harm caused by senseless gun violence. While nothing can undo this loss, these sentences ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We stand with Rukia’s loved ones and with the two young victims who survived this attack. I thank the Rochester Police Department and Assistant District Attorneys Anthony Freeman and Aliyah Fowler for their diligence and compassion in pursuing justice in this profoundly tragic case.”