Eric Stephens, Michael Franklin Obituary, Death: Police Identify Two Men Fatally Shot on Rochester Porch

Eric Stephens, Michael Franklin Obituary, Death – Two men who were fatally shot on a front porch in Rochester last week have been officially identified by local authorities. The Rochester Police Department announced that the victims were Michael Franklin, aged 55, and Eric Stephens, aged 58. Both men were longtime residents of Rochester, and their deaths have marked a somber point in the city’s rising count of homicides for 2025.

Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department provided details on the case, stating that the shooting took place around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, at a residence located on Wolff Street. According to police reports, Stephens lived at the home where the shooting occurred—specifically at 23 Wolff Street—while Franklin resided nearby, within the same neighborhood. The two men were found on the front porch of the residence and had both sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body.

Emergency responders arrived shortly after receiving a report of the shooting. Despite their efforts, both Franklin and Stephens were pronounced dead at the scene. The area was cordoned off late into the night as police began collecting evidence and speaking to potential witnesses.

This tragic incident now accounts for the tenth and eleventh homicides in Rochester so far in 2025, according to data from the Rochester Police Department’s Open Data Portal. While police have not disclosed a possible motive or any suspects involved, investigators are actively pursuing leads to determine what led up to the fatal shootings.

Capt. Umbrino noted that, at present, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in connection to the case. The investigation remains in its early stages, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may help piece together the events leading up to the killings.

“We’re asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious or who may have surveillance footage from the area around the time of the incident to reach out to us,” Umbrino said. “Even the smallest piece of information could prove helpful to our investigators.”

Police are particularly interested in receiving videos or eyewitness accounts from the area around Wolff Street, Warner Street, and Rogers Avenue from the evening of May 15. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are leading the investigation, and several officers have been canvassing the neighborhood in the days following the incident, speaking to residents and checking for security cameras that may have captured relevant footage.

For now, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities have not indicated whether the victims were targeted or whether the incident was random. The relationship between the two men beyond being neighbors is also still under investigation.

Friends and family of the victims have expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden loss. Both men were known in their community—Stephens as a quiet, friendly man who mostly kept to himself, and Franklin as someone who frequently greeted neighbors on his daily walks. The violent nature of their deaths has left many residents of the Wolff Street neighborhood feeling shaken and anxious.

In response to the shooting, community advocates and local leaders have reiterated calls for stronger efforts to address gun violence in Rochester. Anti-violence groups are planning vigils and outreach events aimed at preventing future tragedies and offering support to families affected by this and other recent acts of violence.

Meanwhile, the Rochester Police Department continues to urge the public for help in solving this case. Those with information are encouraged to contact 911, reach out to the RPD’s Major Crimes Unit directly at (585) 428-7157, or call CrimeStoppers anonymously at (585) 423-9300. Tips can also be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website.

Authorities stress that all information, no matter how minor it may seem, could be critical in advancing the investigation and ultimately delivering justice for the victims and their families.

As the city of Rochester grapples with the impact of these latest homicides, the deaths of Michael Franklin and Eric Stephens serve as another painful reminder of the human toll behind the statistics. Police remain committed to solving the case and bringing closure to the loved ones left behind, but they emphasize that the cooperation of the community will be vital in doing so.

The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new details emerge.