ROCHESTER, NY – Rochester’s latest homicide is being felt by many in the Beechwood section of the city. Police identified the shooting victim as 29-year-old Earl Thomas. They say 23-year-old Robert Bromfield was shot during an argument at a Sunoco gas station on Culver Road.
News10NBC spoke with a business owner who lives down the street from the shooting.
Most of the people we spoke to Saturday afternoon said that while Beachwood is a relatively quiet part of town, they are not surprised to see this kind of gun violence in their neighborhood.
“Once I saw the yellow tape come off, I knew something was wrong,” said Wade Davis, owner of Wade’s Barber Shop.
Although he did not hear the shooting, he saw the reaction a few minutes later.
“I saw a lot of police cars, and they were coming, and they were speeding up,” Davis said.
Two men, identified by police as Earl Thomas and Robert Bromfield, got into a fight at a Sunoco gas station on Culver Road, a block away from the Sunoco gas station.
“I knew one of my client’s wives worked there, so I called there, and I just wanted to make sure she was OK,” Davis said.
Police say Broomfield shot Thomas multiple times. Thomas was driven to Rochester General Hospital. Broomfield was soon arrested. Davis said he was saddened to hear the news of another gun-related homicide in the city. 6th so far this year.
“I know the argument can’t be about anything. These guys didn’t even know each other from what I was told, and there was a bit of a fight in the store,” Davis said.
He said this is not the first time a serious crime has been committed in the area.
“We’ve been here for 14 years; And it could be anywhere. We are nowhere. You know I don’t care if it’s in Henrietta where I grew up. I don’t care if it’s in Pittsford. It can happen anywhere, and we’re kind of practicing it right now,” Davis said.
He said he was somewhat concerned that violent crimes in the city were getting out of control.
“As a business owner, I can be a bit concerned because I don’t want my customers to feel like they can’t be safe here. They can’t come here, and they can’t be safe, or things of that nature,” says Davis.
Robert Bromfield is charged with 2nd degree murder and 2nd degree criminal possession of a firearm. He is expected to be arraigned Sunday morning in Rochester City Court.
