'There is no fear of being caught with a gun today': RPD captain says suspect in fatal Hazelwood shooting should have been in jail

ROCHESTER, NY – Captain Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department's Major Crimes Unit believes one of the people arrested Monday in connection with the Hazelwood Terrace shooting should be in jail.

“You have a 21-year-old man. He's on parole. He's already been convicted twice of a felony,” said Captain Umbrino. “Do you know how difficult it is to be convicted twice of a felony in three years in New York State? It's not easy. A little over two weeks before he murdered an innocent 19-year-old in Hazelwood, he was locked up on a stolen moped by his parole officer.”

Nasezire Horton, one of two men accused of shooting three teenagers Monday afternoon on Hazelwood Terrace near Denver Street — one of whom died — was arrested two weeks ago for violating his probation, but the court released him the next morning.

Captain Frank Umbrino: “Shows up for his parole hearing in Monroe County Court – what happens? The judge releases him.”

Umbrino doesn't know if the judge had to release Horton or if it was a discretionary decision. Last week, a different judge issued a warrant for Horton's arrest when he missed a court date. Court records show he was in the courtroom Monday morning, eight hours before the murder and shooting.

News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean also spoke with Captain Umbrino about the number of illegal guns in the city and the number of weapons seen at the mass shooting in Maplewood Park two weeks ago.

Berkeley Brean: “In one of the videos of the Maplewood Park shooting, I was amazed at how many guns I saw there. Guns drawn. And I wonder if that surprised you?”

Captain Frank Umbrino: “No, that doesn't surprise me at all. It's certainly much more common these days for multiple weapons to be involved in an incident than it was ten years ago.”

Berkeley Brean: “And why do you think that is the case?”

Captain Frank Umbrino: “Because people are not afraid to carry a gun today. Five or ten years ago, you didn't want to be caught with a gun because you knew you would go to jail. And today, people with guns are locked up, tried, and released the next day. So today, you're not afraid of being caught with a gun. That's undoubtedly the main reason why there are so many guns everywhere.”

Berkeley Brean: “And the solution is?”

Captain Frank Umbrino: “Anyone caught with a weapon will be arrested.”

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