Jury Finds Johnkiomi Ruiz Guilty of Assault in the 1st Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree

Rochester, NY - Monday, February 10, 2025, a Monroe County Jury convicted 33-year-old Johnkiomi Ruiz of Assault in the 1st Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for shooting a man on June 20, 2023.

On June 20, 2023, Rochester Police Officers responded to a report of a person shot on Lake Avenue near Ravine Avenue in the City of Rochester. Upon arrival, a 24-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound in the back. He was immediately transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he needed life-saving surgery.

After a thorough investigation by the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce, which includes Rochester Police Investigators, Monroe County District Attorney Investigators, and Assistant District Attorneys, it was determined that Johnkiomi Ruiz targeted the victim and shot him in the back as the victim attempted to run away.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Adam VanHeyst, of the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce.

“Today’s conviction is a much needed resolution to the victim whose life is forever changed due to the impact of this devastating shooting,” said Assistant District Attorney Adam VanHeyst. “Johnkiomi Ruiz chose to hunt the victim down as he attempted to flee, shooting him in the back. I want to thank the victim for facing his assailant in court, which is never easy to relive. This cooperation is the direct result of the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce. The detailed and thorough investigation led to today’s successful prosecution of Johnkiomi Ruiz.”

“On that night in June, a young man was unexpectedly targeted and shot by Johnkiomi Ruiz over a dispute,” said District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “Today’s conviction is proof of the impact of the Non-Fatal Shooting Initiative. This taskforce helps to foster relationships with victims and witnesses, which is necessary to prosecute these important cases and hold these violent offenders accountable. It is my hope that we continue to see victim and witness cooperation to make our community a safer place, and ensure that dangerous individuals such as Johnkiomi Ruiz can no longer promote violence.”

Johnkiomi Ruiz will be sentenced on April 14, 2025, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Miller.