GATES, N.Y. — A wave of shock and heartbreak has swept through the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Manitou Road in Gates, following the tragic shooting death of 24-year-old employee Markis Ortiz-Harris. The fatal incident occurred Thursday evening in the parking lot of the facility, prompting a brief shutdown of operations and an ongoing police investigation.
Markis Ortiz-Harris, a Rochester native and dedicated team member at the ROC1 warehouse, was reportedly sitting in his car, preparing to start his shift, when he was gunned down in what authorities are describing as a targeted attack. According to the Gates Police Department, preliminary findings suggest that an argument took place prior to the shooting. The suspected shooter is believed not to be employed by Amazon.
Fellow employees are reeling from the violence, which has shattered the normal routine at the busy fulfillment center. Marquan White, an Amazon employee of three years, recounted the chaos that unfolded as he and his girlfriend arrived for work.
“I walked through the doors, right through the scanners,” White said. “I’m like, ‘Babe, you see the cops?’”
White described seeing shell casings on the ground and a crowd gathered near a police officer. As he approached, he was stopped and told he couldn’t enter the building.
The tragedy has left many employees deeply unsettled, particularly those who knew Ortiz-Harris. While White didn’t know him closely, he spoke highly of Ortiz-Harris’s demeanor and impact on others.
“Markis was a great person,” White reflected. “Very genuine, very passionate, very striving. If anyone needed help, he was more than willing to give a helping hand.”
Police quickly secured the scene and transported Ortiz-Harris to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. As of now, no arrests have been announced, but authorities have stated that they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.
In response to the shooting, Amazon issued a statement expressing sorrow and support.
“We’re deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence, which resulted in the death of one of our team members,” said Louie Tran, an Amazon spokesperson. “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 company has made on-site counseling resources available to employees, recognizing the emotional toll such an incident can have on the workforce.
The shooting has not only raised questions about workplace safety but has also underscored the real-world impact of gun violence that can reach even places meant to be safe and routine.
Community members and fellow employees continue to pay tribute to Ortiz-Harris, who is remembered as a young man full of potential, warmth, and a strong work ethic. His untimely death leaves a void in the hearts of those who worked beside him and a grieving family struggling to cope with an unimaginable loss.
Gates Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues. As the community waits for justice, they also remember and honor the life of a young man who touched many in his short time.
Ortiz-Harris’s death is yet another reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of standing together to support those left behind in the wake of tragedy.
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