Rogereale M. Reese Howard, 39, was fatally shot in Utica on the night of July 4, 2025. The shooting occurred at the corner of James Street and Howard Avenue. Howard was born in Utica on August 6, 1985, graduated from T.R. Proctor High School, and had worked at the Oneida Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing for over 17 years.

Emergency crews arriving at the scene faced a large, unruly crowd that reportedly interfered with police and fire personnel attempting to reach Howard. A Utica police officer sustained injuries during the disturbance and was hospitalized. Another person was treated at a local hospital for a non-fatal gunshot wound to the leg.

In September 2025 an Oneida County Grand Jury indicted 20-year-old Jarian Loveday of Utica on a charge of second-degree murder, with authorities alleging Loveday fired the shot that killed Howard. Does anyone in the community have information about what happened that night or knew Howard and can help clarify events?