Suspect in slayings claims self-defense

WALLINGFORD — One of the men arrested in connection with the killing of two people outside the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in 2016 alleges it was self-defense, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Kyle Hampton, 23, of Half Mile Road, North Haven, is charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and tampering with physical evidence. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to online judicial records.

Travis Ward, 31, and Jaquan Graves, 20, both of New Haven, were killed during a shootout following the performance of hip-hop artist Meek Mill. Concertgoers were leaving around 11:15 p.m. when gunfire was exchanged in the parking lot of the theater.

Responding officers found Ward and Graves, both unresponsive with gunshot wounds, next to a darkcolored Mazda Protege MP3, along with three other victims who had gunshot wounds that were not lifethreatening.

It was determined Ward and Graves arrived in the Mazda with three other men, all of whom were initially “uncooperative” with investigators. Two of the men later told investigators an argument ensued in the parking lot between them and another group of men who were in a BMW and almost ran them over, the arrest warrant affidavit says.

One of the men described Graves, who allegedly was in the middle of the altercation, as “highly aggressive.” The other alleged Graves threatened to kill the occupants of the BMW, according to the warrant affidavit,

Shortly thereafter, the two men who spoke to police said, gunfire was exchanged on both sides, with multiple shots striking Graves and Ward. One of the men said he recognized the BMW’s occupants as members of a rival gang who had had previous feuds with Graves, the warrant affidavit says.

A victim and a witness also provided investigators a detailed account of the incident. The victim told officers that, as the two separate groups were arguing, the driver of a blue BMW got out of the car and fired several shots toward the area

Kyle Hampton, 23, of Half Mile Road, North Haven, is charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and tampering with physical evidence.

where Graves and Ward were standing, the warrant affidavit says.

The witness provided police with a description of the alleged shooter’s BMW and the first two letters of the license plate. Officers then crossreferenced the possible vehicles with a list of tickets purchased for the concert, and identified Hampton as a person of interest.

On Jan. 20, 2017, officers obtained search and seizure warrants for Hampton, his residence and his BMW, and found 4.2 ounces of marijuana in his possession. He was charged with possession of marijuana greater than 4 ounces and taken to the police station, the warrant affidavit says.

During an interview, Hampton admitted he attended the Meek Mill concert — officers had found a jacket matching the clothing description of one of the shooters and a Meek Mill concert ticket inside the jacket pocket. While he initially said he left before the shooting, he later said he got into his car and drove off after hearing gunfire. When officers asked Hampton why witnesses placed the shooter in his BMW, he said someone may have been using it as a shield, according to the warrant affidavit.

Almost a month later, Hampton called police and said he wanted to meet to clear his name. This time, he told investigators he went to the concert with two friends and Tivon Edwards, 33, who is also charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm in connection with the Oakdale homicides. After initially claiming he went straight home after the shooting started, he said he had been involved in the altercation but only as a bystander, the warrant affidavit says.

He said the other group of men was acting wild and aggressive toward his friends, and, upon hearing shots, he ran to the passenger side of the BMW and ducked down. Using his BMW as a shield, he said he leaped into the driver’s seat and took off, the warrant affidavit says.

In November 2017, Hamtpon was again questioned about his involvement in the Oakdale shootings, following an investigation and his subsequent arrest for alleged illegal sale of marijuana.

During this interview, he said a group of men from New Haven, which included Graves, was “acting crazy” and got into an argument with his friend after the group nearly kicked his friend’s vehicle, according to the warrant affidavit.

Despite alleged attempts from Hampton and another individual to pacify Graves, Graves allegedly didn’t listen and continued to argue. Hampton said Graves claimed to have a gun and walked toward Hampton’s BMW with one drawn, the warrant affidavit says.

Hampton told police he repeatedly asked what Graves was doing, but Graves didn’t respond, allegedly just continuing toward the car. Hampton said he opened the car door and shots rang out. Hampton allegedly once again asked what Graves was doing, but the 20-year-old didn’t answer. As Graves approached Hampton, he became scared, so he took a .40-caliber Glock out of the glove box and fired at Graves, Hampton said, according to the the warrant affidavit.

Hampton said he retreated to the rear of the car and ducked for cover. After the shooting, he said he left the scene alone.

He initially said he threw the gun somewhere after the concert, but later said he gave it to Edwards and didn’t know what happened to it after that, the warrant affidavit says. A database search revealed Hampton doesn’t have a valid pistol permit.

The warrant affidavit says a male informer, who contacted investigators in early March 2017, told them Edwards allegedly said “people ran up on him” that night, so he and “Cousin K,” whom the informer knew to be Hampton, “took care of business.”

The arrest warrant says Edwards’ statements and descriptions of events leading up to the scene are consistent with witness statements.