Father of homicide victim speaks after two people were charged in March quadruple shooting

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two men charged in a deadly quadruple shooting faced a judge Friday morning. One of them was just arrested recently identified as Henry Phelps. He’s accused of shooting two men in March, one fatally on State Street.

News10NBC was at the arraignment at Rochester City Court.

The other person arraigned was Marique Simpkin. He too was involved in that same shooting, and was also shot by Phelps that night. We also talked to the family of Lonnie Keys Jr. who died that night after police say he was shot by Simkin.

“It’s tough right now, but it looks like it’s going to be something worth waiting for,” said Lonnie Keys Sr.

READ MORE: Father of homicide victim breaks down during church gathering with Mayor Evans

The family of Lonnie Keys Jr. are getting ready to seek justice for their murdered son. Lonnie was killed in a quadruple shooting outside of the Mile High Hookah Lounge on State Street on March 13th. Since then police have been searching for 32-year old Henry Phelps. He was arrested on Thursday. Lonnie Sr. described his reaction after getting the phone call about the arrest.

“It was relief, relief. Now the wheels are getting to start. It was relief,” said Lonnie Sr.

Our cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, but both Phelps, and the other shooting suspect, 24-year old Marique Simkin were arraigned on 2nd Degree Murder charges. Simkin, who was also shot by Phelps that night, is actually the one police say shot and killed Keys.

“He touched us. I mean we loved him. I mean I want to break down again. It’s tough, it’s tough losing your only child, only son. You know this is really, really tough,” said Lonnie Sr.

Lonnie Jr.’s mother Angela Stephens added, “Every day we miss him all the time. Some days are better than most, but this is the start.”

Besides the family, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is happy to see arrests in this case.

“Hopefully those families can get justice, and I hope they have peace of mind to know these individuals are now going to be held accountable for their actions,” said Evans.

Lonnie Sr. has this message for the community saying, “Stop killing each other. It’s ridiculous. This is what we got to go through. You’re messing up the whole, lot of families is getting destroyed because of one stupid decision.”

Both Phelps, and Simkin have also been charged with 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. They are due back in court next Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.