Cuomo says Rochester shooting reflects national gun violence

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Thursday that the drive-by shooting in Rochester that left three dead and four injured overnight is a reflection of a tragic gun violence problem nationwide.

He pledged state support in the investigation of the killings that came as his administration has been trying to combat crime in Rochester by addressing poverty.

"No doubt that gun violence is a plague all across this country, especially in our cities," Cuomo said at a Utica news conference to announce job growth. "It's terribly unfortunate in Rochester and our hearts go out."

"We have been working on, specifically in Rochester, a strategic poverty initiative to do something about the connection between poverty and crime," he said, "but it's a national problem, no doubt."

The violence in Rochester began after 11 p.m. after a basketball game at the local Boys and Girls Club.

"Local authorities are working to bring the perpetrators of this hateful act to justice, and my administration stands ready to assist them in any way possible," Cuomo said.

Even as crime in New York City and its suburbs has eased over recent years, many upstate cities have seen increases. That's what led to the state's "strategic poverty initiatives" to make a greater effort to improve education and to create jobs and opportunity in those cities.