17-year-old sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for murder

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A 17-year-old pleaded guilty to murder in court on Thursday and will serve 20 years to life in prison.

Elijah Rosa, 17, shot Johnel Ravenell, 19, three times at the corner of North Clinton Avenue and Clifford Avenue in the City of Rochester on Dec 29, 2020.

Johnel Ravenell died immediately from gunshot wounds to the upper body. After a swift and thorough investigation by the RPD, Rosa was identified and apprehended within 24 hours of the murder.

On Thursday, Rosa pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree.

“Elijah Rosa brutally executed Johnel Ravenell in broad daylight, with absolutely no regard for Mr. Ravenell’s life or the safety of our community,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael Robertson. “I want to thank the Rochester Police Department for their thorough investigation that led to Elijah Rosa’s arrest. With this guilty plea, it is our hope that Mr. Ravenell’s family has some closure.”

“The increased amount of gun violence in our community is unacceptable and we must continue to hold offenders like Elijah Rosa accountable for their actions. Johnel Ravenell was a young man with his entire life of ahead him and it is our hope that Mr. Ravenell’s family can find justice in today’s plea,” said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “The defendant will have a long time to reflect upon his actions in the New York State Department of Corrections. We are pleased that he is taking responsibility for his heinous actions and we hope he will use his time in the Department of Corrections to reflect on the suffering he has caused.”

Elijah Rosa will be sentenced to 20 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections on August 24, 2022, in New York State Supreme Court.