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Johnny Blackshell Jr. Convicted Of Murder In Genesee St. Shootings

TWC News

A jury in Rochester on Thursday found Johnny Blackshell Jr. guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in the Genesee Street shootings that killed three people and injured four others last August.

Jurors spent over an hour and a half deliberating on Wednesday before adjourning for the night, and their verdict came down Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors said Blackshell fatally shot 19-year-old Raekwon Manigault, 17-year-old Jonah Barley and 25-year-old Johnny Johnson.

Blackshell was also convicted of three counts of assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Blackshell could get up to life in prison when he is sentenced in July. Two other men charged in connection with the shootings will be tried separately.

Mayor Lovely Warren issued a statement that said while the verdict brings a small amount of closure for the families of the victims, she knows the pain of their loss will not subside.

Warren says during the month of June, Gun Violence Awareness Month, she is encouraging all citizens to start a conversation about gun violence in their neighborhoods and discuss ways the community can help end that violence. 

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.