A Rochester man has been convicted following a shooting death that led to a brief foot chase and shootout with responding officers last summer.
The initial shooting death
Edison Estremera-Cohen, 35, was accused of fatally shooting and robbing David Vazquez around 6 a.m. June 22, 2025, according to Rochester police.
Police said the two men argued in the backyard of an Oscar Street home known for drug sales before Estremera-Cohen shot Vazquez multiple times, stole his money and fled on a bicycle. Vazquez, 30, died at the scene.
Convicted of murder
A Monroe County Court jury on Monday found Estremera-Cohen guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree robbery and four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies, according to the Monroe County District
Attorney's Office.
Foot chase, shootout followed homicide
Later that morning, officers located Estremera-Cohen on his bicycle near North Clinton Avenue. When officers approached, he dropped the bicycle and ran, according to police.
Two officers followed him on foot, with a third officer joining the pursuit near Mead Street.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said last summer that as the third officer tackled Estremera-Cohen, Estremera-Cohen raised his arm and fired a 9mm handgun at the officer. The bullet missed the officer's head by inches.
Estremera-Cohen fell to the ground but maintained control of the gun, Smith said. He quickly got back to his feet and pointed the gun at officers again.
As the same officer prepared to tackle Estremera-Cohen again, another officer shot him three times in the upper body.
The entire encounter, including the chase and shootout, spanned one city block and lasted less than 30 seconds, police said.
The officer who tackled Estremera-Cohen was not shot but suffered injuries to his head and ear from the gun's muzzle flash.
Estremera-Cohen survived the shooting and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
What the district attorney said about the conviction
“This was an extremely serious and violent case that resulted in the senseless loss of David Vazquez’s life,” said First Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles, who prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan.
“David Vazquez should still be alive today,” Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green said in a news release. “Instead, his life was taken in an act of gun violence. (Monday's) verdict holds Edison Estremera-Cohen accountable for David’s murder and for the violent crimes committed that morning.”
What's next
Estremera-Cohen is scheduled be sentenced on Nov. 13 by Monroe County Court Judge Julie Hahn.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester man convicted in 2025 shooting death, officer shootout
