WHPD Probes Gunshots At University, Warrant Issued For Arrest

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local police Friday evening said they have an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old suspect believed to be behind a shooting on the University of St. Joseph campus earlier in the morning that also involved a car accident.

In an updated statement issued at 7:31 p.m., the West Hartford Police Department said it has obtained an arrest warrant for Darnell Barnes, 22, in connection with the campus shooting at 1678 Asylum Ave.

Police said when Barnes is taken into custody, he will be charged with first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, evading responsibility, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.

Police said the court has set his bond at $1 million.

Where Barnes is located, as of Friday night, is still not known, though Massachusetts State Police Friday afternoon issued an alert regarding the suspect.

Shortly after noon Friday, Massachusetts State Police said that just before 8 a.m. Friday, state and local police were deployed to search for a suspect "who shot a victim multiple times in West Hartford last night."

Massachusetts police officials said West Hartford police notified them the suspect was in the Blandford/Russell, Mass., area.

The suspect, according to Massachusetts State Police, is Barnes, who is described as a Black male, 5-feet-5-inches tall and having a "slender build."

Barnes, police said, should be considered "armed and dangerous."

Massachusetts police posted two photos of Barnes, asking that anyone with information about him call 911 immediately.

Barnes is believed to be from Hartford and previously lived in Bristol, police in Massachusetts said.

West Hartford police Friday morning were initially investigating a serious motor vehicle accident near the University of St. Joseph that reportedly included gunfire.

According to the West Hartford Police Department, at 2:20 a.m. police were called to a parking area on the west side of campus for a report of gunshots.

Shortly thereafter, police said, WHPD units responded to a single-care rollover on Albany Avenue near Bainton Road, "which is possibly connected to the initial report of gunfire."

West Hartford police said the driver, who has yet to be identified, sustained "serious injuries" and was taken to an area hospital.

As a result of the incident, Albany Avenue was closed between Steele Road and Prospect Avenue while the WHPD investigates. It eventually reopened.

Massachusetts police released information Friday regarding their role in the probe.

According to Massachusetts State Police, troopers located the vehicle Barnes was driving, a black Nissan Pathfinder with New Mexico plates, on the west side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Blandford, Mass.

The Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team made an approach to the vehicle and determined Barnes was not inside it, Massachusetts police said.

In addition, no firearms were recovered from the vehicle, police said.

"The search for the suspect is ongoing and involves patrols, K9 teams, tactical units, and the State Police Drone Unit. The search area includes heavily wooded locations," wrote Massachusetts police on social media.

"Residents of Blandford and Russell are urged to take precautions such as remaining inside if possible keeping their doors locked, being aware of their surroundings, and calling 911 if they see suspect Darnell Barnes or anyone/anything suspicious."

At 1:32 p.m. Friday, West Hartford police confirmed Barnes is connected to the West Hartford incident and said they are seeking the public's help in the probe.

The WHPD called Barnes "a person of interest" in the case and said he is "armed and dangerous."

"Please use caution as the firearm used in this incident has not been recovered," the WHPD wrote in an updated bulletin Friday afternoon.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident in West Hartford is asked to call the WHPD at 860-523-5203, the WHPD's Detective Division at 860-570-8870 or utilize the department's tip line/email at 860-570-8969 or whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov. The public should also call 911 if they have an emergency, West Hartford police said.

For the Massachusetts State Police Facebook page, click on this link.