Police seek car ‘of interest’ in shooting probe

NEWHAVEN—AstheNewHavenPolice Department’sMajor CrimesUnit continues to investigate the shooting of an 8yearold boy on June 28, the department has released photos that showa vehicle of interest in the case.

The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. that night onThompson Street in theNewhallville neighborhood. The shooting has “strong connections” to a shooting at a house party inHamden that night thatwounded five people, police have said. TheHamden case also remains under investigation.

NewHaven policewere notified of the Thompson Street shooting because there was a ShotSpotter activation for gunfire in the area. Nearby officers also heard gunshots and rushed to the area. Police Chief OtonielReyes has said the bullets entered the home and hit the boy in the calf.

“We’re outraged as acommunity, as a police department,” Reyes said at the time.

The boywas later released from the hospital. His mother said thatwhen the sound of gunshots rang outside itwas “too close,” and she immediately thought of her son. He came toward her, crying and holding his leg. She cried as she tried to pick him up.

“(In thatmoment), I didn’t even know where Iwas,” she said. “Iwas just like, ohmy God, crying, screaming.”

Reyes said the shootingwas a deliberate, targeted act and believed to be linked to the shooting of five people hours earlier inHamden.

The vehicle pictured “is of interest to the NewHavenPolice Department,” according to a release. It possibly is an early 2000s HondaAccord orAcuraTL, the release said.

Police askd anyonewho has seen the vehicle, has any information about the vehicle or its owner, or has any information regarding the incident to call Detective Daniel Conklin or Sgt. R. Turney of the Investigative ServicesUnit at 2039466304 or theTip Line number at 2039466296.

Callers can remain anonymous, police said.