Akok P. Lual was 24 when he was killed in a downtown Syracuse shooting on April 16, 2022. He and his family had come to the United States from Sudan in 2005; Akok worked as a sales associate at a Lowe’s in North Syracuse. Around 12:14 a.m. in the Armory Square area between Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge and DP Dough, a burst of gunfire struck five people, including Akok and his younger brother, Lual Lual. All were taken to Upstate University Hospital; Akok died of his wounds and the others survived to recover.

Police identified a single suspect, 23-year-old Brandon Rolfe of Syracuse. He turned himself in on April 19 and was arrested; prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder in Akok’s death, four counts of attempted second-degree murder for the other victims, and criminal possession of a weapon. Akok’s parents, Peter and Mary Lual, had left Sudan during the civil war seeking safety for their children; they described the loss as a tragic irony given that move.

If anyone was in Armory Square that night or has information about the shooting, please share what you know.