Blogs

Shooting Investigation

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at 1:56 p.m., New Haven police officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert of gunfire and 911 calls reporting gunfire, a car crash, and a person shot in the area of Division Street and Shefffield Avenue in the Newhallville neighborhood.

Arriving officers located a car crashed into a bus stop shelter on Division Street near Sheffield Avenue and found the gunshot victim outside a nearby residence.  The victim is believed to have been operating the crashed vehicle.  The 32 year old New Haven man suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was transported by ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

The victim is listed in critical condition. No pedestrians were at the bus stop and no other injuries were reported.

Witnesses are asked to call the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304

JUSTICE FOR Stephanie Washington AND Paul Witherspoon.

MAYOR HARP, HAMDEN MAYOR LENG & RESPECTIVE POLICE CHIEFS TO MEET WITH REPORTERS AT NEW HAVEN CITY HALL AT 3:00 P.M.

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and Hamden Mayor Curt Leng will be joined by their respective police chiefs at a press briefing/update regarding the April 16, 2019 officer-involved shooting.

Reporters are invited to Floor 2 of New Haven City Hall – 165 Church Street – for 3:00 p.m. today for this press availability.

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MAYOR HARP ISSUES STATEMENT RE: OVERNIGHT OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp this afternoon issued the following statement in the aftermath of last night’s officer-involved shooting:

“No member of the New Haven Police Department was involved in last night’s shooting incident; New Haven Police officers arrived after-the-fact to help secure and hold the crime scene, allowing investigators from the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit to gather evidence and begin their investigation.”

“At the same time, I remain gravely concerned about what transpired. I called the mother of the young woman who was shot to express my concern and wish the young woman a thorough recovery, and I pledged to work with my counterpart in Hamden and police officials from all three jurisdictions to ascertain exactly what happened, so we can work to avoid it happening again.”

“A conference call to include Mayor Leng, all three police chiefs, and me is scheduled for Wednesday morning to continue the conversation about how this happened and how to prevent anything like it from happening again.”

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NEW HAVEN POLICE ON SCENE OF OVERNIGHT SHOOTING; CSP AND PROSECUTORS INVESTIGATING

New Haven – At approximately 0420 hours, Hamden Police were investigating a report of a possible armed street robbery in that city. During the investigation, Hamden Police officers located a vehicle suspected to be involved in the area of Argyle Street and Dixwell Avenue.

A Hamden Police Officer, assisted by a Yale Police Officer, made contact with the occupants of the suspect vehicle. During this encounter, shots were fired by the police. No members of the New Haven Police Department were involved in this incident.

A female occupant of the vehicle suffered a non-life-threatening bullet wound and is being treated at a local hospital. There was also an arrest made of a male subject in connection with the incident.

The State Attorney’s office has assigned the CT State Police Major Crime Squad to take over the investigation. Any additional information about this incident will be released by The CSP and the State’s Attorney’s Office.

A crime scene is currently being held in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street. New Haven Police are on scene to assist with securing and holding the crime scene. The area is expected to be congested while streets are closed during the investigation. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

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DUI CHECKPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT

The New Haven Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Checkpoint beginning Friday, April 12^that 7:00 p.m. and concluding on Saturday, April 13^th at 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint location will be on College Street at George Street

Murder Warrant Signed

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, an arrest warrant was signed for 58 year old John Henry Smith Jr. for the murder of Sherri Ruffin.  On May 4, 2017, the 52 year old victim was found deceased in her Jennings Way residence in the West Rock neighborhood.  John Henry Smith Jr.’s warrant charges are felony murder and strangulation in the first degree. Bond has been set at $3,000,000.  Smith is currently incarcerated on an unrelated case at Osborn Correctional Institute.

Now retired, New Haven Police Detective Chris Perrone and the NHPD Homicide Unit worked this case continuously over the past two years.  Detective Manuella Vensel completed the arrest warrant and submitted it to the court.

Forensic Detective Omaida Nieves and fellow members of the NHPD Bureau of Identification worked extremely hard collecting and processing vital evidence in this investigation.

Homicide Unit Sergeant Matt Merced will be working with Lieutenant Robert Maturo to facilitate the habeas of John Henry Smith Jr

Police chief: Hussle slaying involved personal dispute