Vandals break into apartment where Rochester teen was fatally shot

The Monroe Drive apartment where a Rochester teen was fatally shot last month was vandalized on Monday. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police are investigating a Monday break-in at the Monroe Drive apartment where a Rochester teenager was killed last month.

Officers responded to 64 Monroe Drive, Apt. 1, around 7 p.m. after a property maintenance man called dispatch to say some seven individuals were inside the apartment even though he told earlier in the day they were not permitted inside.

According to dispatch notes, the maintenance man told dispatchers that a U-Haul truck one of the group was driving began following him up Monroe from the Fillmore Boulevard Park and Ride toward Monroe Drive while leaning on the horn.

He said two other vehicles were parked with the U-Haul truck at the Park and Ride.

Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham today confirmed the address is the same as where 19-year-old Michael Mowry was fatally shot early the morning of Aug. 30. Mowry was found dead with a bullet in his neck around 3:15 a.m.

The Attorney General's Office and Rochester Police have been tightlipped regarding their ongoing investigation into the shooting, but several neighbors told The Rochester Voice four masked men broke into Mowry's apartment from the rear. His body was found in his bedroom.

Neighbors, all of whom did not want to be identified, said two other college age men shared the apartment with Mowry.

Pinkham said the burglary on Monday is not directly related to the homicide.

"It is more of a landlord/tenant issue where it sounds like the now former tenants broke in and vandalized the residence," he said.

Rochester Police are not reporting additional details about the homicide investigation as the Attorney General's Office is now in charge, Pinkham said.

Director of Communications for the AG's Office Kate Giaquinto said recently the investigation into the killer or killers of 19-year-old Michael Mowry is active and ongoing and they are pursuing any and all leads.

The Monroe Drive complex is a mix of condos and apartments, including another apartment at 64 Monroe Drive that was selling as a condo for $239,000 on movoto.com in 2017. It boasted three bedrooms, three baths and 1,700 square feet of living space with a custom kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.

Annual taxes in 2017 were estimated at just over $5,000. An Airbnb estimate put the monthly rental at $3,837.

Meanwhile, Rochester Police detectives are asking for anyone with information about the shooting to call the Rochester Police Department Crimeline at (603) 335-6500. Callers may leave tips anonymously.