Warrant: ‘Disrespectful’ call to girlfriend led to fatal shooting

MIDDLETOWN — The girlfriend of a city man charged in a May homicide said she received a “disrespectful” phone call in the moments leading up to the fatal confrontation, according to a newly unsealed arrest warrant in the case.

Matthew O’Banner, 20, is facing charges of murder and first-degree assault in the May 16 shooting that killed 25year-old Tylon Hardy and injured a 17-year-old, police said.

After the shooting, O’Banner originally agreed to turn himself in to Middletown police, but then vanished for two months before being apprehended in New Jersey, court documents show.

Michelle Sanders, O’Banner’s 54-year-old mother, and his girlfriend, Alexandra Vazquez, 21, have also been charged with interfering with the police investigation. Sanders is also charged with second-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and drug possession, records show.

According to O’Banner’s arrest warrant, which was unsealed this week, his girlfriend was on the phone with another woman the day of the shooting when a man interjected, making “disrespectful” and threatening comments.

“(The man) was so disrespectful toward Vazquez that she began crying,” the warrant said. “O’Banner was intermittently present during the telephone call, and was able to hear portions of what was being said to her by (him).”

The warrant said Vazquez told police the man warned, “they were all pulling up” and “don’t even trip, I’m coming.” The warrant said Vazquez told investigators she was afraid because “she knew

of (his) violent reputation.”

Police said they obtained security video footage from inside O’Banner’s home that revealed Vazquez and Sanders feared the confrontation would turn violent, according to the warrant. The warrant stated the video showed the women begging O’Banner not to engage with the man.

“Shortly thereafter, Vazquez said she heard a commotion outside of her residence, and saw that (the man) had arrived with Hardy,” the warrant stated.

Vazquez said she went outside and saw the woman she had been on the phone with as well as the man who made the comments along with other people she did not recognize, the warrant stated.

Video from a neighbor’s security camera showed Vazquez arguing with the man, who said he wanted to fight O’Banner, the warrant stated.

After a loud argument, Vazquez said another car pulled up and the man who got out was attacked by the original group, which was confirmed by video footage, the warrant stated.

As people, including Hardy, began to circle around the physical altercation, the video showed O’Banner exiting the front door of a Stirling Court home with a gun in his hand, the warrant stated.

The video showed Vazquez running toward O’Banner, yelling for him to “put it away,” the warrant stated.

“While the previously mentioned parties were fighting, a shooter began opening fire,” the warrant said, adding Vazquez could not provide descriptions about the shooter, the person’s location or clothing.

The video showed Hardy dropping to the ground after the shooter fired four shots in the direction of the crowd, the warrant stated. The warrant stated O’Banner jumped off the porch and began chasing the fleeing men — firing another two shots.

“Another three fainter gunshot sounds were heard, of unknown origin, as they were not captured by video,” the warrant stated.

As police arrived, officers found Hardy unresponsive and bleeding from his mouth and ears, the warrant stated. He died a short time later.

Police were also notified of a second gunshot victim arriving at Middlesex Hospital, the warrant stated. The teen was then flown to Hartford Hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the right side of his back and two in his right forearm, the warrant stated.

O’Banner, who is being held on $1 million bond, is expected to return Oct. 5 to state Superior Court in Middletown.