On May 7, 2016, the body of 60-year-old Lawrence Edwards was found inside a parked vehicle behind a residence at 301 Rutger Street in Utica, New York. An autopsy confirmed Edwards had been shot, and the Utica Police Department opened a homicide investigation. Edwards was known to be experiencing homelessness and was often seen near the Rescue Mission of Utica and Hope House.

Investigators with the Utica Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Investigation Division worked the case for more than two years. A reward was offered through Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest and conviction. In July 2018 authorities arrested 22-year-old Raekwon Winston and charged him with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. The case proceeded to trial and resulted in a conviction.

Does anyone who knew Lawrence or who was in the Rutger Street area in May 2016 have information that could shed more light on what happened?