Ex-employee charged with murdering woman outside Gates business; Was on parole at time

GATES, N.Y. — Gates Police have arrested a Rochester man who, they say, killed his former boss.

Police describe Malik Black as a convicted murderer and say he was out on parole at the time he is accused of killing Jessica Romich.

Black is in jail with no bail after being arrested Tuesday morning in Rochester by Gates Police and members of the Rochester Police Department’s SWAT Team. Police say he shot and killed Romich, 47, after she left work on Saturday, Sept. 30. She co-owned Everdry Waterproofing off of Pixley Road. Her body was found around 5 p.m. that day. Since then, police have been looking for her killer.

Black spent nearly two decades in prison for murder and criminal possession of a weapon convictions.

Gates Police Chief Robert Long says his prior criminal history should have kept him in prison for a long time.

“If you’re going to shoot and kill somebody not once, but twice, that is ludicrous. This person had 25, or 20 years in prison to rehabilitate themselves, and come out with a second chance on life. Unfortunately, our victim does not have a second chance on life, and they ruined it by killing somebody else,” Long said.

Long declined to comment when asked about a motive.

Black was arraigned Tuesday in Gates Town Court.

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