Convicted Felon from Wethersfield Among 2 Charged With Gun Possession in Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — Two convicted felons were arrested Friday morning following a report of a person armed with an assault weapon on a Hartford street.

Around 7:39 a.m., Hartford police received information regarding an individual armed with an assault weapon on Risley Street. Patrol officers rapidly planned a tactical response of multiple officers, established a perimeter and approached the location on foot, Deputy Chief Brian Foley said.

A group of individuals was observed congregating near a stationary vehicle at 53 Risley Street. Officers covertly monitored the group’s activities, during which time an individual was observed brandishing a Bushmaster AR 5.56 mm assault rifle in the roadway. Responding officers carefully converged on the location and all individuals were detained and secured, and the assault rifle was secured without incident, Foley said.

Upon further investigation, an Interarms Firestar .40 caliber pistol was additionally located on scene. Two suspects were placed under arrest and debriefed by detectives, Foley said.

Horace Kelly, 20, of 300 Enfield Street, Hartford, was charged with possession of an assault weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity magazine.

Nicki Butler, 20, of 24 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, was charged with criminal possession of a pistol, carrying a pistol without a permit and weapons in a motor vehicle.

Both Kelly and Butler have prior felony convictions.

Hartford Police Chief James Rovella said, “This is a significant incident with great potential to have been an officer involved shooting. It stands as another example of where the training, experience and tactics of our officers led to a much different outcome.”

Photos courtesy of Hartford Police Department