Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of 12-Year-Old Boy In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A man has pleaded guilty in connection with the killing of a 12-year-old boy in a drive-by shooting nearly four years ago in Bridgeport, according to the Connecticut Post.

The Post reports Tajay Chambers, 22, faces up to 35 years in prison as part of a plea deal in connection with the death of Clinton Howell in December 2018.

Chambers pleaded guilty to reduced charges of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to the Post.

Chambers was originally charged with murder with special circumstances, murder, use of a firearm during a felony, illegal possession of a pistol without a permit, risk of injury to a child, second-degree larceny and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was arrested, along with Alexander Bolanos, 16, a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old, after Howell was fatally shot near his home on Dec. 18, 2018. Chambers told police he didn't know Howell was 12-years-old, the Post previously reported.

Police said at the time that Clinton was with his older cousin who was in a dispute over Facebook and Snapchat with Bolanos, who he never met in real life. An SUV passed three times on Willow Street Dec. 18 and the cousin fired a pellet gun at it, according to police. Chambers then fired a pistol and hit Clinton, police said.

Police had previously said they believed Clinton wasn't the intended target of the shooting. He had gone to a nearby convenience store to pick up snacks with his older cousin. Family, friends and teachers recalled that he was well-liked by all and enjoyed playing video games, riding his bike and spending time with family members.

Read more, including comments from the victim’s family during Tuesday’s court hearing, at the Connecticut Post here.