Loved ones of man found dead in Rochester travel from Congo to see accused killer in court

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Nearly two years after coming to the United States from the Republic of the Congo, Munga Elocho’s life came to a tragic end Aug. 16.

“He was a cool guy, a good guy,” said his brother, Mpenzi Yohana. “He was a friend of everyone.”

Rochester police said Milton Simmons, 43, fatally shot Elocho, 22, during an argument at North Plymouth Avenue and Smith Street before trying to conceal his body in a garbage tote. It was found about 12 hours later.

Simmons was arrested Tuesday and was set to be arraigned Wednesday on charges including murder, but the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office said he refused to come out of his jail cell. Judge Melissa Barrett had to sign a body order to get him to come to court Thursday

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“I think sometimes they know, just because of the nature of the charge alone, they’re going to be held,” Assistant District Attorney Aliyah Fowler said. “So they’re like, ‘I’m not going anywhere.'”

Some of Elocho’s family members came in from Congo to face the man accused of killing him.

“Our hearts were broken on the news that we got of the loss of my son, the son we all love,” said Mmunga Tawimbi, Elocho’s father, using Yohana as a translator.

His family said Elocho did not know Simmons.

“(It) was something that really hurt us a lot because Munga was a kid who was helping us in terms of God’s work,” said Mwenebitu Mlendja, Elocho’s pastor, using Yohana as a translator. “He was like a right hand for us.”

Simmons pleaded not guilty Thursday. He was held in the Monroe County Jail without bail or release. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Yohana said Elocho’s family would continue to show up in court.

“That’s the least we can do for our brother,” Yohana said. “That’s the support we can give him until the end.”