State to tap federal funds after 2 shot in Hartford

HARTFORD — As the city reckons with the shooting deaths of two juveniles — ages 3 and 16 — state officials said they are ready to tap federal COVID-19 recovery money to address the gun violence that persists through the pandemic.

The shootings Saturday, two hours and a mile apart, killed 3-year-old Randell Jones, of Hartford, and 16-year-old Ja’Mari Preston, of New Britain. Though initially thought to be unrelated, Hartford police said Monday the shootings appear linked.

As more than 100 people gathered in Hartford’s North End on Monday to call for action in the wake of the the shootings, Gov. Ned Lamont said he was again ready to use federal COVID-19 funds to address gun violence, similar to when it spiked last summer.

“We did previously because of the nature of the demand ... in what that meant in terms of spikes of violence going back a few months and we’re ready to do that again as needed,” Lamont said.

The weekend shootings, Lamont said, were a reminder that gun violence has not stopped through the pandemic.

“COVID is not the only thing stealing lives, so is gun violence,” Lamont said Monday during a COVID-19 news conference.

Joining Lamont was Pastor Marichal Monts, whose Citadel of Love church sits blocks from where Randell was shot.

Monts said people need to come together and ask: “Is this the Hartford we want? Is this the Connecticut we want? Is this the world we want, where our children are being killed?”

He went on to say: “It’s one thing where people can make decisions to do certain things, but a 3-yearold, I mean come on. We’ve got to fix this. We’ve got to fix this fast.”

Officers were called to the first of the two shootings shortly before 2:30 p.m. Saturday when gunfire was reported on Nelson Street.

Investigators learned the passenger of a stolen black Honda Accord opened fire on another vehicle that contained two adults and three children, police said.

One of the children, 3year-old Randell, was rushed to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds, where he initially was listed in critical condition, but later died.

While Randell was mortally wounded, the others in the car, including children ages 4 and 5, were unharmed, police said.

Major Crimes Division detectives, working with crime scene investigators, are continuing to pursue leads in the case as of Monday.

Police officials said the intended victim of the drive-by shooting fled after the shots were fired. On Monday, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said the man went to the police department and spoke to investigators.

About two hours after Randell was shot, police rushed to a separate shooting about a mile away on Magnolia Street where Ja’Mari was killed. Rifle bullet casings were discovered at the scene, according to police.

Ja’Mari was a student at Capitol Region Education Council schools. CREC Executive Director Greg Florio said Ja’Mari “endeared himself to many staff and students who are devastated by his sudden and tragic death.”

Boisvert, head of the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, said Monday they “have information that leads us to believe” the shootings were connected. He declined to say why investigators now believe the shootings are linked.

Feet from where Randell was shot, residents joined family, elected officials, clergy and police officials Monday to press the community to put an end to the gun violence that led to the children’s deaths.

“It’s a sad day here in Hartford. A 3-year-old and a 16-year-old both lost their life on the same day, hours apart. If that ain’t enough to make you wonder what’s going on, then what’s going to move us? What’s going to move us?” said the Rev. Henry Brown, whose organization Mothers United Against Violence called the community together for the vigil. “We know about the constant shootings. We know about the blood being spilled in our neighborhood over and over and over. Don’t you get tired of hearing someone’s been shot?”

Flanked by family and members of Mothers United Against Violence, Randell’s mother declined to speak.

Mayor Luke Bronin, in tearful remarks, asked that this be the day that “things really begin to change and none of us accept this.”

“There are no words that are adequate for today. And I’m sorry if mine fall short. I’m sorry when we as a city fall short, but this is a city full of a lot of people with a lot of love,” Bronin said.

Those gathered at Monday’s vigil urged for people to speak out if they know who was responsible for the killings.

“You need to see something, say something. That’s why you have these police to take care of this violence in these streets,” Brown said.

Police, aware that there were a number of people who saw what happened, again called for witnesses Monday as they seek justice for the family.

“We will continue to devote every resource to bring the perpetrators to justice, and we are grateful for our partners who are working alongside us. We also again ask our community to come forward with information they may have,” Police Chief Jason Thody said.