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New Haven Police Provide Update On Recent Gun Arrest Charges   

New Haven| The New Haven Police Department and partner agencies recently arrested nine individuals on weapons related charges.  The circumstances leading to the arrests are included in yesterday’s attached press release.

25 year old Carlos Lopez of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Assault second degree.
• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Threatening second degree.
• Breach of peace second degree.

18 year old Antonio Allen of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Possession of a controlled substance.

26 year old Jaquan Gray of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Theft of a firearm.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Interfering with an officer.
• Two failure to appear arrest warrants.

26 year old Denzel Suggs of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Interfering with an officer.

27 year old Angel Viera of New Britain, Connecticut is charged with the following:

• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

27 year old Joshwua Figueroa of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

28 year old Brandon Mendoza of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

23 year old Paul Witherspoon of Hamden, Connecticut is charged with the following:

• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Possession of a sawed off shotgun.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• Risk of injury to a child.
• Possession of a controlled substance.
• A motor vehicle violation.

18 year old Marquay Foster of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Theft of a firearm.
• Criminal possession of a high capacity ammunition magazine (two counts)

New Haven| Over the past week and a half, New Haven Police Investigative Services
Division detectives, Task Force officers, and Patrol Division officers seized eight guns and made
nine arrests in areas where recent violence has occurred. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also
federally adopted new gun cases which led to federal arrests this week by the Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms (ATF) and FBI.
07/26/2020.
Patrol officers responded to a Clinton Avenue home for a report of a domestic dispute where a
weapon was used. The victim told police she had an argument with her 25 year old husband Carlos
Lopez and he stuck a gun in her mouth. He then fled the area in a silver Toyota Corolla. Officers
developed information that Lopez may be headed to Grand Avenue. Officers went to Grand Avenue
and located the car and Lopez. Consent was granted and inside the trunk of the vehicle, officers
located a P80 9mm handgun. Lopez has a misdemeanor handgun disqualification. Officers arrested
Lopez and charged him accordingly.
07/28/2020.
Members of Shooting Task Force noticed 18 year old Antonio Allen sitting in a Cadillac in the
parking lot of the Valley Street Townhouses which has no trespassing signs. When Allen noticed
police presence, he exited the vehicle wearing only one shoe and walked away at a fast pace. He
refused to stop and reached into a Honda Civic which then fled the area without him. Officers
detained Allen without further incident. In plain view in the parked Cadillac was a clear bag
containing marijuana and a black handgun on the passenger side floorboard. NHPD Bureau of
Identification responded to collect the firearm which was a Ruger .380 caliber handgun with an
obliterated serial number. Allen did not have a valid permit and was charged accordingly.

07/31/2020.
A FBI Task Force officer received information there were several males from the “Exit 8” group
carrying guns in the parking lot of the Essex Townhouses on Quinnipiac Avenue. As police officers
drove into the housing complex, officers observed approximately 15 people in the lot immediately to
the left. Once the people in the parking lot saw police, some began to run into the center of the
complex. Officers began a foot pursuit and one male was apprehended in the center lot. He was later
identified as 26 year old Jaquan Gray.
Gray had a fanny pack strapped across his chest. Gray began to struggle with officers when he was
taken to the ground. Gray kept his right hand on the fanny pack. Eventually, officers unsnapped and
seized the fanny pack. Inside of it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun stolen out of Hamden.
While officers were detaining Gray, a large crowd began to approach officers and several times
officers had to be push the crowd back. The crowd was not compliant with officers’ commands and
continued to approach.
Detectives apprehended a second man who ran from officers. This male was identified as 26 year old
Denzel Suggs. Officers detained Suggs without further incident. Suggs had a handgun in his front
right pocket, a Taurus (Model PT-22) .22 caliber handgun. Officers transported both men to
the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center. Both Suggs and Gray are convicted felons and were
charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Detectives and Task Force officers conducted crime suppression in the Hill area where a homicide
had occurred earlier in the morning. A Task Force Officer (TFO) developed information there were
two males in a car on Greenwich Avenue with a shotgun in the car. Officers began canvassing the
area and located two males sitting in a black KIA sedan on Greenwich Avenue at Third Street. The
males, later identified as 27 year old Angel Viera and 27 year old Joshwua Figueroa were removed
from the car and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun loaded with seven shotgun shells was located on the
passenger side floorboard. Additionally, three shotgun shells were found in Viera's pocket. Viera and
Figueroa are convicted felons and were charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Later in the evening, an ATF Task Force Officer developed information there was a male in a white
sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a gun inside the vehicle in the area of Greenwich Avenue. Crime
suppression units located the vehicle double parked on Greenwich Avenue near First Street. The
vehicle drove away but officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Howard Avenue and Second Street
where the operator was found to be 28 year old Brandon Mendoza. A search of the vehicle revealed a
Norinco Model 54 pistol with 7.62x25 caliber rounds in the ammunition magazine. Mendoza is not a
convicted felon and was charged appropriately. Mendoza refused to cooperate when asked to be
interviewed but did say that the recent homicide victim was a friend of his and that he had dropped
him off the night prior to the homicide.
This arrest and the other listed 08/02/2020 arrests helped stop retaliation for the
homicide which occurred earlier in the area on the morning of the same day.

Dedicated to Protecting Our Community

phone (203) 946-6333 fax (203) 946-7294 website www.cityofnewhaven.com/police
07/31/2020.
A FBI Task Force officer received information there were several males from the “Exit 8” group
carrying guns in the parking lot of the Essex Townhouses on Quinnipiac Avenue. As police officers
drove into the housing complex, officers observed approximately 15 people in the lot immediately to
the left. Once the people in the parking lot saw police, some began to run into the center of the
complex. Officers began a foot pursuit and one male was apprehended in the center lot. He was later
identified as 26 year old Jaquan Gray.
Gray had a fanny pack strapped across his chest. Gray began to struggle with officers when he was
taken to the ground. Gray kept his right hand on the fanny pack. Eventually, officers unsnapped and
seized the fanny pack. Inside of it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun stolen out of Hamden.
While officers were detaining Gray, a large crowd began to approach officers and several times
officers had to be push the crowd back. The crowd was not compliant with officers’ commands and
continued to approach.
Detectives apprehended a second man who ran from officers. This male was identified as 26 year old
Denzel Suggs. Officers detained Suggs without further incident. Suggs had a handgun in his front
right pocket, a Taurus (Model PT-22) .22 caliber handgun. Officers transported both men to
the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center. Both Suggs and Gray are convicted felons and were
charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Detectives and Task Force officers conducted crime suppression in the Hill area where a homicide
had occurred earlier in the morning. A Task Force Officer (TFO) developed information there were
two males in a car on Greenwich Avenue with a shotgun in the car. Officers began canvassing the
area and located two males sitting in a black KIA sedan on Greenwich Avenue at Third Street. The
males, later identified as 27 year old Angel Viera and 27 year old Joshwua Figueroa were removed
from the car and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun loaded with seven shotgun shells was located on the
passenger side floorboard. Additionally, three shotgun shells were found in Viera's pocket. Viera and
Figueroa are convicted felons and were charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Later in the evening, an ATF Task Force Officer developed information there was a male in a white
sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a gun inside the vehicle in the area of Greenwich Avenue. Crime
suppression units located the vehicle double parked on Greenwich Avenue near First Street. The
vehicle drove away but officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Howard Avenue and Second Street
where the operator was found to be 28 year old Brandon Mendoza. A search of the vehicle revealed a
Norinco Model 54 pistol with 7.62x25 caliber rounds in the ammunition magazine. Mendoza is not a
convicted felon and was charged appropriately. Mendoza refused to cooperate when asked to be
interviewed but did say that the recent homicide victim was a friend of his and that he had dropped
him off the night prior to the homicide.
This arrest and the other listed 08/02/2020 arrests helped stop retaliation for the
homicide which occurred earlier in the area on the morning of the same day.

Dedicated to Protecting Our Community

phone (203) 946-6333 fax (203) 946-7294 website www.cityofnewhaven.com/police
08/05/2020.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., members of the Shooting Task Force were traveling on Henry Street
towards Dixwell Avenue and were directly behind an older model orange/red colored Chevrolet
Cavalier. A registration check revealed the license plate came back to a 2008 tan Chevrolet Impala.
The Cavalier continued on Henry Street and turned onto Dixwell Avenue and pulled over. Detectives
pulled directly behind the car and activated their emergency lights. The driver, later identified as 22
year old Paul Witherspoon of Hamden, exited the car and began to walk towards the sidewalk.
Detectives told Witherspoon to walk back to the driver`s side of his car because they were stopping
him because the plate on his vehicle did match the car he was driving.
When asked for license, registration, and proof of insurance, Witherspoon told detectives everything
was at home. Witherspoon opened the glove box and attempted to find any paperwork for the car.
While Witherspoon searched his car for paperwork, detectives observed marijuana in the car.
Witherspoon told detectives marijuana was the only contraband in the car. Detectives had
Witherspoon remove his young child from the back seat of the vehicle. After closer inspection,
detectives saw the butt end of a shotgun on the front passenger side floorboard,
The Bureau of Identification arrived on scene to collect the shotgun. It was determined the shotgun
was loaded and the front of the firearm was sawed off to make the barrel shorter. After removing the
shotgun from the car, detectives conducted a further search. Located throughout the car were
multiple shotgun shells as well as 7.62 ammunition. Paul Witherspoon is not a convicted felon and
did not have a pistol permit. He was placed under arrest for the appropriate charges. Family members
arrived on scene and took custody of Witherspoon’s child. Detectives arrested Witherspoon without
incident.
08/05/2020.
After a federal investigation, Drug Enforcement Agents and NHPD detectives and officers executed a
search warrant at 1341 Chapel Street. Arrested was 18 year old Marquay Foster who was found in
possession a loaded black firearm HK VP 9mm with a tactical light; thirteen 9mm rounds in the
attached ammunition magazine; one empty black high capacity (32 round) ammunition magazine; one
clear zip lock back containing eleven 9mm rounds; one clear zip lock bag containing ten .40 caliber
rounds; and one loose 9x19 ammunition round. Officers arrested Foster on state charges for the
firearm.
In 10 days, there have been eight guns seized with nine arrests over this period of time from
07/26/2020 to 08/05/2020. Prior to this 10 day period, from July 1, 2020 to July 25, 2020 another 12
guns were seized. According to Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson, “These gun arrests helped stop
violence and saved lives. Detectives and officers are working extremely hard to assist in efforts with
community members to stop violence in New Haven. We ask that community members contact the
police department when illegal guns are being displayed. In many of these cases, community
members called the police and officers were able to safely take people into custody and get the guns
off the streets. These actions save lives and I want to thank the efforts of the detectives and the
officers as well as the assistance received from the community.”
NHPD Chief Tony Reyes wants the community to know that “We will not tolerate gun violence. We
will continue to work in collaboration with our state and federal partners to arrest those responsible
for violence in our city.”

Tune in tomorrow, July 30th for our Zoom Petition Signing Marathon! Mayor Toni Harp will also be making a big announcement! You can join by texting us your name and phone number to this number: +1 (203) 318-4727

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven announced the relaunch of Democracy School! Applications for the two-month-long fall session of the Democracy School are now available for New Haven residents. The program will start in September. The Democracy School will introduce residents to the structures, services, and leaders in the City of New Haven through a series of public information sessions. City officials will introduce their work and lead question and answer sessions aimed at fostering open lines of communication, enabling participants to take full advantage of City resources and empowering residents to become community leaders and advocates.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:

The Democracy School is an excellent way for residents to learn how City government works and about the services we provide for all our residents in the Elm City. In fact, Democracy School was one of the ways that I started to become involved in the City years ago. As an alumnus of the Democracy School, I met community members from all around New Haven and learned directly from City staff about the nuts and bolts of City business. I encourage all residents to participate in this fun and invaluable experience. 

Democracy School is open to any New Haven resident that is at least 18 years of age by the start of the first session. Due to an anticipated high volume of applicants and physical restrictions imposed on the program by COVID-19, space will be limited to only 20 students. We, here at the City of New Haven, plan to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate and foster long, impactful, and meaningful relationships.

Democracy School Goals:

• Provide participants with an interactive learning experience that generates dialogue about City services, programs, and responsibilities, including day-to-day operations, the challenges of City government, budget process, and limitations.
• Promote partnerships between community and government by providing a forum where local officials and community members can interact and exchange ideas.

Session Details:

The Democracy School will meet Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm for seven weeks via Zoom. Session links will be sent out to accepted participants. 

Requirements:

Given the breadth of information to be shared, participants should avoid missing sessions. Each person will be required to complete a simple class assignment, which will be further explained when class begins. It can include participating in one of the following over the seven-week period: attend a Board of Alders meeting, attend a Board of Education meeting, attend one of the mayor’s office hours, or attend a committee meeting. After each session, participants will be asked to fill out a brief survey.

To access the application for the Democracy School, visit this link. If you have any questions, please contact Omena McCoy at (203) 946-5892 or omccoy@newhavenct.gov.

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“Perfect Storm” Sparks Brutal Stretch

August Alsina Goes On Rant After Jada Pinkett Smith Admits Past Affair

The City of New Haven Announces Wooster Square Monument Committee

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven announced that it will be forming a committee to formally decide what will succeed the Columbus statue at Wooster Square Park. This past Wednesday, the New Haven Parks Department removed the 4,000-pound bronze statue from its pedestal at the Wooster Square Park. The Christopher Columbus statue is being retained by the City after suffering multiple incidents of vandalism before its removal by the Parks Department. For historical preservation purposes, the City plans to maintain the base of the statue at Wooster Square Park, and the City is currently maintaining the Christopher Columbus statue in a secure location.

The Wooster Square Monument Committee will be comprised of members of the community representing the following organizations: Downtown/Wooster Square Community Management Team, Historic Wooster Square Association, New Haven Parks Commission, New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission, Arts Council of Greater New Haven, City of New Haven, Christopher Columbus Parade Committee, two New Haven Board of Alders members selected by the President, American Italian Women of Greater New Haven, St. Andrew Society, St. Andrew Ladies Society, Santa Maria Maddalena Society, Santa Maria Maddalena Ladies Society, St. Paul and St. James Episcopal Church, St. Catello Society, Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Connecticut General Assembly and the Office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. The Wooster Square Monument Committee will coordinate with the City of New Haven to match public and private dollars and determine an appropriate monument to honor Italian-American heritage in New Haven.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:

The removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus was emotional for many people in the Italian community in New Haven. While I believe it was the right decision to remove the statue, I also understand the importance of Columbus to the Italian community as a symbol of Italian heritage. We are forming the Wooster Square Monument Committee to decide how to appropriately honor the contributions to Italian-Americans in New Haven through a collaborative community process. I am looking forward to the many conversations surrounding how we can respectfully highlight Italian-American culture and do so as a community.

The Wooster Square Monument Committee will be co-chaired by two committee members. Below is a full list of the Wooster Monument Committee members:

Carl Babb, Member, New Haven Parks Commission

David Belowsky, Member, New Haven Parks Commission

Frances Calzetta, Member, American Italian Women of Greater New Haven

Frank Carrano, Member, Wooster Square Historian, Branford Resident

Elsie Chapman, Member, Historic Wooster Square Association

Andrew Consiglio, Member, Santa Maria Maddalena Society

Paul Criscuolo, Member, St. Catello Society

Rheta DeBenedett, Member, Santa Maria Maddalena Ladies Society

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Frank Gargano, Member, St. Andrew Society

Sarah Greenblatt, Member, Wooster Square Resident

Bill Iovanne, Member, Wooster Square Business Owner

Adriane Jefferson, Member, City of New Haven Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs

Laura Luzzi, Member, Italian Heritage Committee of Greater New Haven

Vin Mauro, Member, New Haven Resident

Charles Murphy, Member, Wooster Square Resident

Dan Onofrio, Member, CT State President Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

State Rep. Al Paolillo, Jr., Member, Connecticut General Assembly

Michael Piscitelli, Member, City of New Haven Economic Development Administrator

Cindy Rosarbo, Member, St. Andrew Ladies Society

Aleta Staton, Member, New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission

Two Representatives from the New Haven Board of Alders selected by President Walker-Myers

Neil Thomas Proto, Advisory Role, Historian

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New Haven| On Thursday, May 21, 2020, just before 4:30 p.m., New Haven Police and Fire responded to 911 calls of a bicyclist struck by a motorcycle on Grand Avenue at Ferry Street in the Fair Haven neighborhood.

Arriving emergency responders found a severely injured male lying in the roadway.  Officers learned a motorcycle traveling through the intersection had collided with the bicyclist.  The bicyclist was ejected upon impact. The motorcycle operator fled the crash scene on an unknown motorcycle and was last seen traveling east on Grand Avenue toward Front Street.

An ambulance transported the 80 year old New Haven man to Yale New Haven Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The NHPD Accident Reconstruction Team, Major Crimes detectives, and Bureau of Identification forensic detectives responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.  Callers may remain anonymous

One Man Dead After Yesterday’s Triple Shooting

New Haven| A 34 year old man struck by gunfire yesterday at Lloyd and Exchange streets has been pronounced deceased.  The victim is Roberto Rivera of New Haven.  His death is being investigated as a homicide. 

In addition to the man who was fatally wounded, two other men were injured in the shooting just after 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020. The investigation began with multiple 911 callers reporting a shooting in the area of Lloyd and Exchange streets in the Fair Haven neighborhood.

Arriving officers found one gunshot victim, now identified as Roberto Rivera, with a life threatening head injury.  A second victim came forward with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the hand.  An ambulance transported both New Haven men to the hospital.

Around 9:25 p.m., a third victim, a 20 year old Waterbury man with a gunshot wound to the leg, arrived by private vehicle at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Investigators believe prior to the shooting, the men had been outside near a corner convenience store or walking in the area when an unknown gunman began shooting. 

• The  deceased was a 34 year old Fair Haven resident.

• The second victim is a 28 year old Fair Haven resident who suffered a hand wound.  He has since been discharged from the hospital. (Note:  the second victim is 28 years of age and not 36 as previously listed.)

• The third victim is a 20 year old Waterbury man who was shot in the leg.  He has since been discharged from the hospital.  Following the shooting, it is believed the victim went to a residence prior to having someone drive him to the hospital.

Friday afternoon at a community press conference at Lloyd and Exchange streets, NHPD Chief Otoniel Reyes said the shooting was not a random act but a targeted act of violence.  Assistant Chief of Investigations Karl Jacobson encouraged the public to continue calling the police department with information about the incident.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.  Callers may remain 

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz to Honor EMS Workers

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On Monday morning New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, members of the Board of Alders and State Delegation will join with the New Haven Fire Department and Police Department to honor EMS workers. May 17^th through the 23^rd is the annual National EMS Week, and the theme this year is Ready Today. Preparing for Tomorrow. The group will plan to drive by the American Medical Response building to salute EMS workers.

EMS Week Salute with Mayor Elicker and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz

Joined with Members of the Board of Alders, State Delegation and the New Haven Fire and Police Departments

American Medical Response

58 Middletown Avenue, New Haven, CT 06513

Monday, May 18, 2020

10:00AM

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City of New Haven Signs on to Amicus Brief on Byrne Criminal Justice Assistance Grants

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced New Haven has signed onto an amicus brief filed in a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. New York v. United States Department of Justice, No. 19-267 (2^nd Cir. 2020) challenges the authority of the Department of Justice to require applicants for Byrne Criminal Justice Assistance grants to comply with certain conditions related to the Federal Government’s enforcement of immigration laws. The State of Connecticut joined with New York and other states as a plaintiff in the pending case.

More explicitly, the Department of Justice is requiring the Byrne Criminal Justice Assistant grant applicants to (1) comply with federal law prohibiting restrictions on the communication of immigration status information with federal authorities; (2) provide federal authorities, upon request, with the release dates of incarcerated illegal aliens; and (3) afford federal immigration officers access to incarcerated illegal aliens in correctional facilities.

As a result of the growing support for the State of New York in this case, the City of Chicago filed the amicus brief on behalf of thirty cities, counties, municipal agencies, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the International Municipal Lawyers Association, and the International City/Counties Management Association.

“Attorney General Barr and the Department of Justice should not be leveraging the need for grant funding as a means to coerce our cities and local and state entities to coordinate with immigration officials in the Federal Government,” stated Mayor Elicker. “This is simply unethical. In a time when we need to be supporting our municipalities, we should not use the divisive opinions of a few to further impact the funding that many towns and cities rely on,” he said.

Attached is the official notice from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, granting the motion to file an amicus brief. 

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It was more like a celebration of life then a musical battle Both showed love to each others Body of work playing hits over 3 hours of music. Erykah Badu had Bruce Lee playing in the background on a giant movie screen.

Over 700k was home watching it  live on Instagram it was great for the R&B culture... Click on link for

Erykah Badu after-party   

On April 28, 2020, at approximately 12:01 a.m., patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Congress
Avenue and Cedar Street for the report of a stabbing. One 911 caller reported two males were in an
argument/fight which lead to a stabbing. The victim, Secundino Ramirez born July 28,1990-29 yrs., a
former resident of New Haven, most recently a resident of West Haven, was fatally stabbed. Ramirez did
succumb to his injuries at Yale New Haven Hospital.
The night of April 27
th into April 28th, Ramirez and two of his male friends were traveling around the city
when the operator of the vehicle stopped his vehicle in the area of Congress Avenue and Cedar Street. It is
believed the three males had been consuming alcohol throughout the evening. Ramirez and the other male
occupant wanted to travel to the Fair Haven section of the city, but the operator of the vehicle was not in
agreement. Ramirez and the other male occupant got into an argument (about who should purchase more
alcohol), exited the vehicle and then the operator drove away. The argument escalated into a fist fight
which lead to Ramirez being fatally stabbed, and then the assailant fled the immediate area on foot.
New Haven Police Homicide Detectives worked diligently while they received assistance from members of
the community, Yale University Police Detectives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Surveillance footage captured from the Congress Avenue and Cedar Street also aided detectives in this
investigation. On or about April 30th
, detectives were able to positively develop Marcial Morales born
November 7, 1998-21 yrs., of 8 Garden Street, New Haven, as the only suspect in Ramirez’s death.
Detectives learned Morales did have an active warrant for Failure to Appear out of West Haven. A wanted
for questioning bolo relative to the homicide was generated for Morales on May 1st
.
On May 2nd, New Haven Police Patrol Officers Perotti and Vakos spotted Morales on Garden Street, where
he was detained and then arrested; after his Failure to Appear warrant (Trespass ticket $250 bond) was
confirmed by the New Haven Police Department Records Division. Detectives D’Andrea and Soto
conducted a formal interview with Morales and extracted pertinent information from him, that directly led
to the probable cause established in his murder arrest warrant issued on May 3rd
.
Ramirez and Morales are both natives of Guatemala and have been residing in the United States for less
than ten years. Ramirez did not have a criminal record. Morales only had the FTA warrant.
“Thank you: The New Haven Community, New Haven Police Homicide Unit, New Haven Police
Uniformed Services Division, Yale University Police Investigative Services Unit, New Haven State’s
Attorney’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said Sergeant Bertram Ettienne – NHPD
Officer in Charge of Investigative Services.