Tavontay Haygood, already awaiting trial for the murder of Karen Wargo, has been indicted for the 2023 shooting death of Derrick Ellis. He also has a prior conviction for attempted arson and endangering the welfare of a child. Multiple investigations are currently underway in Rochester, including the recovery of bodies in different locations.
Rochester , New York – Tavontay Haygood , a 32-year-old resident of Rochester , is now confronting a second-degree murder indictment stemming from a fatal shooting that occurred on September 19, 2023.
The indictment, handed down this month by a grand jury, relates to the death of 48-year-old Derrick Ellis, who succumbed to injuries sustained on the porch of a Diringer Place residence. Law enforcement officials believe the shooting was a direct result of a pre-existing and escalating dispute between Haygood and Ellis. Ellis tragically passed away two days after the incident, succumbing to the severity of his wounds.
This new charge adds to the already significant legal challenges facing Haygood, who is currently awaiting trial for the murder of 46-year-old Karen Wargo. The case involving Karen Wargo unfolded on July 9, 2025, on Pleasant Street in Rochester. Investigators meticulously pieced together evidence revealing that Wargo’s death was not the result of a single cause, but a combination of devastating injuries – blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation.
Crucially, surveillance footage captured Haygood engaging in a violent assault on Wargo, repeatedly kicking her on the sidewalk approximately thirty minutes before a passerby discovered her body. This visual evidence played a pivotal role in connecting Haygood to the crime. Beyond these two murder cases, Haygood’s criminal history includes a conviction in May 2024 for attempted arson and endangering the welfare of a child. He admitted guilt in that instance, having attempted to ignite a house with children present inside.
Currently, he is awaiting sentencing through the Monroe County Mental Health Court, highlighting concerns regarding his mental state and potential impact on public safety. He was formally arraigned on Wednesday regarding the Ellis killing and remains incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail as of Wednesday evening. Adding to the ongoing investigations within the city, Rochester police are currently responding to the discovery of a body on Wednesday afternoon in the north side of the city.
While details surrounding this separate incident are still emerging, it underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety. Separately, the story of Hashini Herath, a 29-year-old who recently immigrated to the United States from Sri Lanka with her husband, serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse lives impacted by crime.
Herath and her husband had moved to the country last year with aspirations of building a new life, a dream now potentially overshadowed by the city’s recent events. Police were also working to recover a body found under a bridge in the High Falls neighborhood on Wednesday morning.
The confluence of these investigations – the Haygood cases, the body discovered on the north side, and the recovery effort in High Falls – paints a concerning picture of escalating violence and the complex challenges facing the Rochester community. The investigation into the body found under the bridge is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released details regarding the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding their death.
The city is grappling with a series of serious incidents, demanding a comprehensive response from law enforcement and community stakeholders
Rochester Murder Indictment Tavontay Haygood Derrick Ellis Karen Wargo Arson Crime Investigation
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