3 More Charged In Fatal Shooting In Middletown: Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Three more people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man in Middletown in May, according to police. A 17-year-old boy was also injured in the shooting.

Matthew O'Banner, 20, is accused of killing Tylon Hardy in a May 16 shooting in the area of Highlands Crescent and Stirling Court in Middletown. O’Banner, of Stirling Court, was taken into custody at a home in New Jersey earlier this month and extradited to Middletown. He was arraigned at Middlesex Superior Court on Tuesday and is being held in lieu of a $2 million bond.

O’Banner’s mother, Michelle Sanders, was arrested Aug. 9 on a warrant in connection with the homicide, according to Lt. Brian Hubbs. Middletown police found Sanders with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, Hubbs said.

Sanders, 54, is accused of hindering the investigation, tampering with evidence, interfering with officers and other charges in connection with the homicide. She was initially held in lieu of a $250,000 bond, according to Hubbs.

O’Banner’s girlfriend, 21-year-old Alexandra Vazquez, was taken into custody on Wednesday on an arrest warrant. Vazquez, of Stirling Court, is accused of interfering with the investigation, according to Hubbs. She was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Hubbs said Nahkyn Durazzo, 21, was present and involved in the shooting that led Hardy’s death was taken into custody on June 3 by Middletown detectives with the assistance of Adult Probation Officers. He was charged with violation of probation and held in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Anyone with more information regarding the homicide is asked to contact Middletown Detective Stroud at 860-638-4147.

See also: Family Outburst Disrupts Middletown Homicide Arraignment: Report