Ex-employee, on parole for murder, arrested for Gates business owner's homicide

Gates, N.Y. — An ex-employee is charged with murder after a Gates business owner was found dead last month in the parking lot of the business she owned.

Malik Black, 47, of Rochester, allegedly shot and killed Jessica Romich, 47, Sept. 30 while Romich was leaving Everdry Waterproofing on Pixley Industrial Parkway in Gates.

The Rochester Police Department's SWAT team helped Gates police take Black into custody while executing a search warrant Tuesday at the suspect's home in the city.

Authorities towed away the car they believe he used to drive to Everdry Waterproofing on the day of the murder.

Black is charged with second-degree murder. Police said a grand jury may consider additional charges.

The suspect was released on parole in October 2020 after serving 27 years in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in March 1994, according to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision records. Black would have been a teenager at the time of the convictions.

"I hope Jessica gets justice in this case, I hope the family gets justice in this case, and hopefully this trial will go on with a conviction and this person will be put away," Gates Police Chief Rob Long said. "They do not belong on our streets. If you’re going to shoot and kill somebody not once, but twice — that’s ludicrous. This person had 25 years in prison to rehabilitate themselves and come out, and they had a second chance on life. Unfortunately, our victim doesn’t have a second chance on life."

Police are calling for justice for Romich's family.

"Unfortunately Jessica had two children that will never have a mother at their wedding, never have a mother at the birth of their child, will never get to see their kids grow up," Long said.

Black is being held in Monroe County Jail without bail.

____