Rochester, N.Y. – A
nother young life taken too soon.
Another mother mourning the loss of a child.
"Tommy was the most kindhearted person," said Delores Weathers, Tommy King's mother. "He'll help anybody, he'll go out his way for anybody."Family members say King, also known as "Junebug" was on Delamaine Drive Friday to visit one of his sisters when police say he was shot by 29-year-old Jermaine Johnston.
King's family says Tommy did not know Johnston.
"They were what appears to be very unprovoked violent and ruthless attacks," Deputy Chief Michael Wood of the Rochester Police Department said.
Rochester police are hailing the arrest of Johnston, who they say is responsible for much of the city's recent violence.All the credit, they say, belongs to a tipster.
"We have so many homicide cases, so many incidents in which we don't get people to step forward, don't have people who assist us in our investigations," Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard said. "In this case, the Rochester community stepped up big."
"I want to thank the Rochester Police Department for doing a good job and giving me justice and closure for my son," Weathers said. "Anybody that helped out a little bit, I want to thank them too."
King's family hopes more people will stand up and speak out against violence.
"I hope so because nobody wants to go through what I went through," Weathers said. "It's every parent's nightmare."
Johnston is charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the double shooting on Delamaine Dr.
Twenty four-year-old Anthony Pearson was wounded in that shooting.
Police believe Pearson and King were shot at as they were walking down the street.
Pearson was taken to the hospital for treatment.
His condition is still unknown at this time.
Johnston is also expected to face charges related to several other crimes in the city.
Deputy Chief of Operations for Rochester Police Michael Wood says Johnston is connected to two separate robberies on Clifford Ave. and could face murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 29-year-old Omar Lynch on Renwood St.
Wood says the gun used in both homicides was stolen from a man Johnston allegedly stabbed and robbed on June 26. Police believe he used the gun in another robbery on Clifford Ave. on July 2.
Johnston was on parole after being released from prison last summer.
Johnston also served nine years for burglary.
