Man Killed In Hartford Highway Shooting Identified: Police

HARTFORD, CT — State police identified the man killed in a Hartford shootout Friday afternoon that resulted in the freeway's closure for several hours.

Connecticut State Police said Omar Cruz-Torres, 36, of West Haven, was taken to a Hartford-area hospital and pronounced dead. The next of kin was notified, police said.

In addition, police report that Nelson Alejandro-Capo, 35, of East Hartford was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

State police said officers on Friday, Aug. 11, were called to Interstate 84 east in Hartford at about 2 p.m. near Exit 48.

Police said troopers from the state police's Troop H barracks in Hartford determined two vehicles traveling in Hartford went on I-84 and shots had been fired.

According to police, two additional vehicles were involved in a collision.

"Responding troopers located two occupants of a vehicle who had sustained apparent gunshot wounds," wrote Connecticut state police Monday in a statement. "The other vehicle involved in the shooting fled the scene."

The state police's Central District Major Crime Squad responded and are investigating in conjunction with the Hartford Police Department.

State police said it is believed the collision is connected to a shooting reported in Hartford.

This homicide is one of several this summer in Hartford, and the announcement Monday of the shooting victim's identity came about an hour before another Hartford man was shot and killed in a vehicle in the city Monday evening.

Anyone traveling through the area at the time and witnessed the incident and/or captured photographs, video or dashboard camera footage, is asked to contact the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad at 860-534-1000 or email state police Det. Michael Piscitelli at Michael.Piscitelli@ct.gov.

From Aug. 15: 'Man Shot Dead In Vehicle Monday In Hartford: Reports'

From Aug. 11: 'Highway Crash In Hartford Caused By Fatal Shooting: Reports: UPDATE'

For the Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link