Middletown Man Charged With Murder In 2017 Cold Case: Officials

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man has been arrested in connection with a homicide in New Britain more than six years ago, according to officials.

Michael B. Coleman, 30, was arrested Friday in connection with the 2017 fatal shooting of Gabriel “Bebo” Pereira in New Britain following a joint investigation by the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, the New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office and the New Britain Police Department, Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced.

New Britain Police received several reports of shots fired in the 300 block of Park Street around 9:05 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2017. Police determined that Pereira, 32, was attending a birthday party and had stepped outside when he was shot in the head, according to officials.

Officials said police found Pereira laying on the ground near the front porch, surrounded by family who were attempting to render aid. Emergency officials took Pereira to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Coleman was arrested and charged with murder following an “extensive investigation that included following up on tips, the close examination of video surveillance footage and cellphone records and conducting numerous witness interviews, as well as an extensive Grand Jury Investigation,” according to officials.

Coleman was arraigned Friday in New Britain Superior Court and held in lieu of a $5 million bond.

“This arrest exemplifies the dedication and persistence of the Division’s Cold Case Unit, the New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office and the New Britain Police Department in ensuring that those responsible for the homicide of Mr. Pereira are brought to justice,” Griffin said.