Victim Identified In Fatal Shooting In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Police have identified the victim of Monday’s fatal shooting as Elijah Gomez, a 15-year-old Hamden High School Student.

Police responded to the Farmington Canal Linear Park, near Treadwell Street, around 2:30 p.m. on the report of shots fired. Officers found a gunshot victim on the canal line who later died of his injuries, according to Detective Sean J. Dolan.

Dolan said the state Chief Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to assist investigators and later ruled the death a homicide.

“In response to Elijah Gomez’s tragic death, Hamden school officials activated the school district’s Crisis Team to provide support and counseling to students in need of help,” Dolan wrote in a news release. “Any student in need of help is encouraged to reach out to their school counselor or a school administrator.

“Detectives from the Hamden Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit are actively investigating the shooting and are following up on several leads. The preliminary investigation revealed that the homicide does not appear to be random and there is no immediate threat to the general public.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamden Police Department at 203-230-4000. Callers can remain anonymous.

Mayor Lauren Garrett said she was “deeply saddened” to learn of Gomez’s death.

“This is a devastating loss to Hamden and our schools,” Garrett said in a statement. “Tragedies of this magnitude shake us to the core as individuals and as a community. The loss of a life of a child is impossible to make sense of under any circumstances but the violent nature of this incident leaves us feeling vulnerable, powerless, and grasping for answers.

“My heart goes out to the student’s parents, family, and friends. Together with Deputy Chief of Police Wydra, HHS Principal Gannon and School Resource Officer Brewer, I delivered my personal condolences to Elijah’s family. I also met with Principal Gannon and classmates of the victim at Hamden High School. No one should be forced to deal with such a senseless loss of life.

“I am fully committed to the safety of every member of our Hamden community. I am in close communication with our Police Department as they continue to investigate. I have their full assurance they will not stop until the parties responsible are apprehended, and they will receive the full support of my office. The Police Department is also bolstering patrols to increase security along the canal line.

“We as a society must work to identify and intervene where children are in crisis. I held an emergency meeting today with the High Risk Youth Community Taskforce to discuss strategies that can help prevent tragedy in the future.

“Over the coming days and weeks, my administration will make sure community members have the support they need. If you find yourself in such need, please contact my office right away at 203-287-7100.”

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