Police: Stolen car found riddled with bullets after gunfire in New Haven near Yale

NEW HAVEN — Police said they found about 20 spent bullet casings Monday morning after receiving reports of gunfire near Yale University.

The gunfire reportedly came from at least one vehicle in a two-car chase on Lawrence Street between Livingston Street and Whitney Avenue around 8:55 a.m., New Haven Police Capt. Rose Dell said in a news release.

Dell said witnesses described the two vehicles involved in the chase as a Dodge Durango and an Acura MDX. Police contacted area hospitals, though none reported any gunshot victims, Dell said.

Police found the Acura in Fair Haven “with numerous bullet holes,” Dell said.

“This vehicle had been reported stolen out of Hamden yesterday,” she added.

Multiple area schools — Wilbur Cross High School, Booker T. Washington Academy and East Rock School — were notified immediately of the reported gunfire and were placed on lockdown while police investigated, according to Dell.

Once police deemed the area safe, the lockdowns were lifted, Dell said.

Yale University sent an alert shortly after 9 a.m., warning the community to avoid the area. The school sent another alert at around 10:40 a.m. saying “police have cleared the scene.”

New Haven police Chief Karl Jacobson said any shooting near a school while students are in session is “particularly troubling.”

“However, we do believe that the vehicles were targeting each other,” he continued.

“We will continue to investigate and provide timely updates.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call detectives at 203-946-6304. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 866-888-TIPS

(8477).