GATES, NY — A 24-year-old Amazon employee was fatally shot outside the Amazon Fulfillment Center ROC1 on Manitou Road in Gates, New York, on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The victim, identified as Markis Ortiz-Harris of Rochester, was killed in what police describe as a targeted attack while sitting in his vehicle in the facility’s parking lot, preparing to start his shift.

According to the Gates Police Department, the incident occurred just before 6 p.m. when an unknown suspect approached Ortiz-Harris’s vehicle and opened fire. The 24-year-old sustained a gunshot wound and was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large, with no indication that they were an Amazon employee.

Investigators have classified the shooting as an isolated incident, emphasizing that it was a targeted altercation between the victim and the suspect. “There is no ongoing threat to the public or other Amazon employees,” stated Captain Matthew Pascarella of the Gates Police Department. Authorities confirmed that the incident occurred outside the facility, and no employees inside the building were at risk during the event.

The Gates Police Department, in collaboration with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police, is actively investigating the case. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and interviewing witnesses to gather more information about the suspect and the circumstances leading to the shooting. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact them directly or submit tips anonymously.

Amazon issued a statement expressing profound grief over the loss of Ortiz-Harris, who was a valued team member at the ROC1 facility. “We’re deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence, which resulted in the death of one of our team members,” said Amazon spokesperson Louie Tran. “Our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and loved ones, and we’re focused on giving them and our employees the support they need during this difficult time.”

The shooting has left the Rochester community and Amazon employees reeling, as they mourn the loss of a young life cut short. The ROC1 Fulfillment Center, a 2.6-million-square-foot facility that opened in October 2023, employs over 2,500 people and utilizes advanced robotics to process millions of orders. The incident has cast a shadow over the workplace, with late-shift employees sent home on Thursday evening as the police investigation unfolded.

As the investigation continues, authorities are committed to uncovering the facts and bringing the suspect to justice. The death of Markis Ortiz-Harris has sparked renewed conversations about gun violence and its devastating impact on families and communities. Community members are encouraged to provide any information that could assist in solving the case, as police work tirelessly to ensure accountability for this tragic loss.