‘Happy Halloween’ stabbing leads to fatal shooting in New Haven

NEW HAVEN — A man who wished “Happy Halloween” to another man before knifing him was fatally shot by the stabbing victim’s cousin Tuesday night, police said.

At 10 p.m. Tuesday, New Haven police officers and EMTs were dispatched to Sperry Street at Goffe Street after an assault with gunfire was reported.

A 27-year-old New Haven man was walking on Sperry Street from Whalley Avenue toward Goffe Street, when he was confronted by a man holding a knife, according to police.

“The knife-wielding man said, ‘Happy Halloween,’ and stabbed the victim,” Officer David Hartman said in a release. “The victim’s cousin — a 24year-old Hamden man — was waiting in his car. He heard the commotion, got out of his car, and was also stabbed by the assailant.”

But the 24-year-old had a pistol on him and shot his assailant in the chest, police said.

“The shooter has a valid pistol permit and his gun was lawfully registered to him, according to information obtained in a police records check,” Hartman said. “The shooter has not been charged — though this investigation is active and remains active. ”

The man who was killed was not immediately identified.

The 27-year-old was stabbed in the elbow and the 24-year-old in his bicep, police said. The wounds were not lifethreatening.

Police are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call 203-946-6304, the Anonymous Tip Line at 203-946-6296, Text a tip by texting, NHPD plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES) or email at ecic@newhavenct.gov.