Men Charged In Shooting In Middletown: Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened in Middletown in May, according to police.

The shooting happened May 22 at Traverse Square where a large crowd gathered that night for a memorial for Tylon Hardy, who was killed in a shooting on Sterling Court on May 16, police said. Four people have been arrested in connection with Hardy’s death.

Matthew O'Banner, 20, was charged with murder last month and three others, including O’Banner’s mother and girlfriend, were recently arrested in connection with the case.

A fight broke out during the memorial, leading to three people firing guns and numerous rounds at each other and into the crowd, according to police. A man was struck by gunfire and taken to Middlesex Hospital before police arrived.

The victim was later transferred to Hartford Hospital where he underwent lifesaving surgery, police said.

During an in-depth investigation, detectives identified two of the shooting suspects as Denzel Teart, 28, of Middletown, and 23-year-old Messiah Stewart of New Haven, according to police. They were both arrested on warrants.

Teart, a convicted felon, was found by police and taken into custody on Sept. 10, according to officials. He was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree criminal assault. He was held in lieu of a court-set $500,000 bond.

Stewart turned himself in to police on Monday. He was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and criminal attempt at first-degree assault. He was held in lieu of a court-set $150,000 bond.

Both Teart and Stewart were arraigned in court on Monday and police said that despite their court-set bonds, a judge released them on a promise to appear in court.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Detective Nate Peck at 860-638 4163.