City to provide free mental health counseling for residents and staff following the tragic death of Zahnia Barr

Rochester, New York – Following the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Zahnia Barr, the City of Rochester is making free mental health and grief counseling available to residents and city staff as the community mourns the loss of a teenager remembered for her involvement at a local recreation center.

Mayor Malik D. Evans announced that counselors from BreatheDeep, Inc. will be available at the David F. Gantt R-Center, located at 700 North St., where Zahnia was an active and valued member. The counseling services are intended to support individuals affected by the tragedy and provide a safe place for people struggling with grief.

The city has scheduled two counseling sessions at the R-Center. Counselors will be available on Monday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The sessions are being offered free of charge to help community members process the emotional impact of the shooting.

City officials said the initiative reflects an effort to provide immediate support to those who knew Zahnia, including friends, neighbors, and others connected to the recreation center. The services are also being made available to city employees who may have been affected by the loss.

Read also: RIT startup program teaches founders that listening to customers is the first step toward building successful businesses

“The shooting of Zahnia Barr is an unspeakable tragedy,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “We want to ensure that anyone working through this tragic loss has access to mental health counselors. We also encourage people to share what information they may have so we can bring those who were involved to justice.”

Along with providing emotional support, city leaders are continuing to urge the public to assist investigators. Officials are asking anyone with information related to the weekend’s gun violence to come forward to help identify those responsible.

Residents can submit information by calling 311, using the anonymous ReportIt app, contacting the Rochester Police Department by email at [email protected] or by phone at 585-428-7157. Anonymous tips can also be shared through CrimeStoppers by calling 585-423-9300.

Read also: Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces new grant opportunities to support mid-sized arts groups with 2026 operating expenses

The David F. Gantt R-Center has long served as a gathering place for neighborhood youth and families, making it a fitting location for the counseling sessions following the loss of one of its active participants. City officials hope the support services will offer comfort to those grieving while reinforcing the importance of coming together during difficult times.

The City of Rochester also reminded residents that additional information about its network of R-Centers, including hours of operation and locations, is available on the city’s website. Officials encouraged anyone in need of support to take advantage of the counseling opportunities as the community continues to cope with the aftermath of Zahnia Barr’s death.