Ramell Griffin Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for the Homicide of Devin Barstow

Rochester, NY- On Monday, January 12, 2026, 17-year-old Ramell Griffin pled guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for killing Devin Barstow.

At approximately 6:00 PM on October 7, 2024, Rochester Police Officers were called to a porch on Flint Street for a report of a man shot. Upon their arrival, 18-year-old Devin Barstow was located on the porch with gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

After a thorough investigation, Rochester Police Detectives determined that Ramell Griffin targeted Devin Barstow earlier that day. Evidence shows the defendant shot the victim with an illegal handgun after an altercation near a recreation center off of Seward Street. Devin Barstow then ran to the porch on Flint Street, where he died from his injuries.

In January, 2025, an indictment was unsealed charging Ramell Griffin with the homicide.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Michael Caranante, of the Special Investigations Bureau, and Special Assistant District Attorney Ryan Lamon, of the Major Felony Bureau.

“Although he was only a teenager at the time of the shooting, Ramell Griffin is responsible for the devastating loss of Devin Barstow’s life, and also for permanently altering the course of his own,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael Caranante. “This was a brazen and senseless act of violence that stole a young man from his family and loved ones. Devin Barstow will never come home, and his absence will be felt forever. It is my hope that today’s guilty plea brings some measure of accountability and closure to a family that has endured unimaginable loss.”

“On that October evening, Ramell set in motion an irreversible outcome, leading to the death of Devin Barstow,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “I commend the Rochester Police Department for their dedicated investigation, which led to today’s admission of guilt. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge and thank Devin Barstow’s family for their strength and cooperation throughout this painful process. I sincerely hope that today’s outcome provides them with a sense of justice and peace, knowing that the person responsible for taking their loved one’s life has been held accountable.”

Ramell Grffin will be sentenced on March 6, 2026, in front of Monroe County Court Judge Julie Hahn. He is expected to be sentenced to a determinate sentence between 17-19 years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus 5 years of post-release supervision.