Man, 18, Charged In Shooting That Killed Teen In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — An 18-year-old New Haven resident has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal drive-by shooting that killed a teen last May in Hamden, according to police.

Lamont Quadir Smith-Reed was arrested Thursday on warrant following an extensive investigation into the killing of Semaj Reddick, according to Detective Sean J. Dolan.

Reddick was killed in a drive-by shooting on May 30, 2021, in the parking lot of the Minute Mart, 280 Circular Avenue, in Hamden. Reddick, an 18-year-old Hamden resident, was rushed to the hospital and later died from his injuries, according to Dolan.

Dolan said the investigation found that the shooting wasn’t random and Reddick was the intended target.

Detective Andrew Lipford, along with members of the Hamden Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, conducted an extensive investigation into the shooting.

Dolan said numerous agencies assisted with the homicide investigation including the New Haven Police Department’s Shooting Task Force, FBI - New Haven Field Office, Norwalk Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service - District of CT - Violent Fugitive Task Force, New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office and the State of CT Forensic Science Laboratory.

At the time of his arrest, Quadir Smith-Reed was in custody at the Department of Corrections on unrelated charges, according to Dolan. He was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and held on a $2 million court-set bond. He is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on May 27.

Police are continuing to investigate and anyone with information is asked to contact Lipford at 203-230-4055. Callers can remain anonymous.