North Branford Man, 30, Shot, Killed In New Haven: Police

NEW HAVEN, CT —A 30-year-old North Branford man was shot and killed before sunrise on Sunday in New Haven, police said.

Zaire Luciano, from the Northford section of town, was pronounced dead at the scene of the pre-dawn shooting, police spokesperson office Scott Shumway said in an emailed statement.

It was 5:30 a.m., Shumway said, when police got about gunfire on Chamberlain Street, between Chamberlain Place and Forbes Avenue. When police arrived, they found Luciano, who had been struck by gunfire.

Shumway said New Haven Police Investigative Services and Bureau of Identification are investigating.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker issued a statement Sunday afternoon.

“Gun violence is ripping neighborhoods apart – not just here in New Haven, but throughout the country,” Elicker said. “I was at the scene this morning. Following shootings, I talk with neighbors and I see and hear the pain and anguish this brings to our community.”

The New Haven Independent, reported that police said Luciano "appeared to have been targeted." And that the father of two sons, grew up in Hamden.

Stunned and grieving family and friends have posted tributes to Luciano on Facebook.

The fatal shooting of Luciano represents the city's 20th homicide since the beginning of 2021.

January

In January, Alfreda Youmans, 50, and Jeffrey Dotson, 42, were found dead by the police inside a Winthrop Avenue apartment, Jorge Osorio-Caballero, 32, was shot and killed in Fair Haven, Marquis Winfrey, 31, was shot and killed in Newhallville, and Joseph Vincent Mattei, 28, was shot and killed in the Hill.

February

Yale grad student Kevin Jiang, 26, was gunned down Feb. 6. Angel Rodriguez, 21, was shot to death in Fair Haven in mid-February, his body dumped by the Mill River in East Rock.

March

Dwaneia Alexandria Turner, 28, was shot to death in the Hill on March 16. On March 26, Alessia Mesquita was shot dead in Fair Haven.

May

Mariyah Inthirath, 20, was killed Saturday, May 15, on Sheffield Avenue. Hopeton Jack was killed near Orchard and George on Tuesday, May 18. On May 19, Tashawn Brown was shot dead across from Edgewood Park. On May 26, Adrian Barwise, 34, was shot in a Sherman Parkway home.

June

Miguel Ramos, 37, was shot dead on Springside Avenue on June 6. Richard Whitaker Jr. was shot to death on Columbus Avenue in the Hill on June 15.

July

Cierra Jones was shot on Truman Street July 5. She died July 7.

On July 10, Kevan Bonilla, 20, was shot on Lombard Street in Fair Haven.

August

Tyshaun “TyTy” Hargrove, 14, was shot and killed Aug. 25 on Chatham Street.

Police ask that any witnesses who have not yet spoken with investigators contact the New Haven Police Department Investigative Services Division at 203-946-6304. Callers may remain anonymous.