3 NHPS Locked-Down, Yale Alerts Campus After Car Chase Gunfire: Police

NEW HAVEN, CT —Police are investigating reports of gunshots in the area of Livingston and Lawrence streets, resulting in the lockdown of three New Haven public schools and a Yale Police Department campus alert.

The alert reads that "police are investigating reports of gunshots in the area of 31 Livingston St., near Lawrence Street." University police asked that people "avoid the area while the police investigate."

In a follow-up release to media, New Haven police spokesperson Capt. Rose Dell said that three schools were placed on lockdown after the initial reports of gunfire at 8:54 a.m.

Dell said cops responded to Lawrence Street between Livingston Street and Whitney
Avenue on the report of gunfire. She said, "numerous callers" reported to the NHPD Dispatch Center that two vehicles were chasing each other while rounds were being fired from at least one of the vehicles."

"Immediately, Wilbur Cross High School, Booker T. Washington Academy, and East Rock
School were notified of the incident and placed on lockdown," Dell said.

NHPD cops and detectives began to search for evidence and speak to witnesses, Dell said, who told police they saw a Dodge Durango and an Acura MDX involved. Dell said around 20 fired cartridge casings were found. Area hospitals didn't report any gunshot victims, she said.

After police determined that the area was "safe," the lockdowns were lifted. And soon after, the Acura was found in Fair Haven with numerous bullet holes, Dell said. The car had been reported stolen out of Hamden Sunday.

“Any shooting that occurs in and around schools, while the students are in session, is particularly troubling," New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson said. "However, we do believe that the vehicles were targeting each other. We will continue to investigate and provide timely updates.”

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call detectives at 203-946-6304 or
through the department’s anonymous tip-line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).