Mayor, Police Chief Address Weekend Shootings In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Police are increasing high-visibility patrols in the wake of two weekend shootings in Hamden, officials announced Sunday.

A 27-year-old man died at Yale-New Haven Hospital, nearly four hours after being shot early Sunday morning in Hamden, according to police. The man was shot in the area of Goodrich Street and Butler Street around 12:10 a.m., according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said an investigation found that the victim was involved in a "heated" argument before being shot, and he was shot several more times after he fell to the ground. The man had been shot multiple times in the back, according to Smith.

A 43-year-old man was hospitalized after being shot near a bar in Hamden early Saturday morning. Police found the man lying on the sidewalk with several gunshot wounds around 12:15 a.m. in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Goodrich Street.

An investigation found that the man was involved in an argument with a patron from Chazmo's Bar before being shot, according to Smith.

Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng and Police Chief John Sullivan released the following joint statement on Sunday:

The Hamden Police Department is working relentlessly to address the two shootings that occurred this weekend. One of the incidents resulted in the senseless loss of a life.

To our residents and stakeholders, these incidents are not random acts of violence. Hamden Police Detectives are actively investigating several pieces of pertinent information.

The Hamden Police Department will deploy a greater police presence, including high-visibility patrols, in an attempt to prevent future acts of violence and to increase our information network, as it pertains to these incidents. We are also actively working with our Street Outreach Worker Support Team.

Our nation and our town community must come together to STOP gun violence. Loved ones are tragically being taken away from their family and friends. We all need to do better, specifically, to keep illegal firearms out of the hands of those that are committing criminal acts of violence.

We ask that anyone with information about these two shootings to kindly contact the Hamden Police Department at (203) 230-4000. Please be advised that information provided, can be kept confidential.