A 19-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murder in the slaying of a 39-year-old mother of three in upstate New York earlier this week, according to online court records.
Dhymere Bailey was arrested Friday morning by Rochester City police officers following a two-day investigation, Rochester First reported. He’s accused of fatally shooting Sandra Blanding near a vacant lot on Spencer St., on the city’s west side, early Wednesday morning.
Blanding, a Rochester resident, was shot at least once in her torso, Rochester Police Captain Frank Umbrino said, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
Police declined to elaborate on a possible motive for the shooting, but investigators believe the two didn’t know each other.
Bailey was arrested around 11 a.m. Friday after initially trying to flee, local ABC affiliate WHAM reported. He was ultimately taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
At the time of his arrest, Bailey was carrying a loaded handgun, which police believe was the weapon used in the deadly shooting.
He appeared in Rochester City Court Saturday morning for his arraignment, at which he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Judge Constance Patterson ordered Bailey held without bail. He’s expected back in court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.
