$50K Reward Offered In Unsolved Murder In West Haven: Officials

WEST HAVEN, CT — A reward is being offered for help with solving the murder of a man on I-95 in West Haven nearly four years ago, according to officials.

The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jawara Stennett’s killer or killers, Ansonia/Milford Judicial District State’s Attorney Margaret E. Kelley and the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad announced Thursday.

Stennett, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was fatally shot on the Exit 43 on-ramp to I-95 in West Haven at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2020, according to authorities.

“On that night, Mr. Stennett was on his way home to New York after attending a family birthday party in Connecticut in honor of his father,” officials wrote in a news release. “Police responding to the I-95 exit ramp following reports of a shooting there found Mr. Stennett suffering from gunshot wounds to his torso. His death was subsequently determined to be a homicide. Mr. Stennett leaves behind a loving family, including six children.

“Despite exhaustive investigative efforts by the Connecticut State Police, Mr. Stennett’s murder remains unsolved. In the hope of continuing to move this investigation forward, Governor Ned Lamont has authorized a reward in the amount of $50,000 to any individual providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mr. Stennett’s killer.”

Investigators are also looking to speak with the driver of a white Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle with a Connecticut license tag that was seen on video footage driving north on Campbell Avenue near Interstate 95 in West Haven at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2020. The vehicle can be seen here in Video 1 and Video 2.

“Mr. Stennett’s family deserves to know what happened to their father, son, brother and loved one,” Kelley said. “Now, we are asking for the public’s help in giving them an answer. We know that there are individuals with information pertaining to this investigation who have yet to come forward. Even if you have information that you don’t think is particularly useful, please share it with us so we can put it into the larger context of the entire investigation. Any information is useful in trying to piece this puzzle together.”

Investigators are asking that anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Sgt. Michael Beauton at michael.beauton@ct.gov, Detective Maxwell Robins at 860-805-3167 and maxwell.robins@ct.gov or Division of Criminal Justice Inspector Herbert Johnson at 203-687-6816 and herbert.johnson@ct.gov.

“Detectives from the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad have been diligently working on this case for four years,” Beauton said. “Now, we are requesting help from the public in an effort to identify Mr. Stennett’s killer and bring justice to the Stennett family.”