Convicted Murderer Gets Lengthy Prison Term In Windsor Locks Homicide

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A Hartford man convicted in November of shooting a 16-year-old high school student-athlete to death at Pesci Park in 2020 was sentenced Friday to 48 years in prison by a Hartford Superior Court judge.

Daniel Baez, 26, was found guilty of murder by a jury on Nov. 6, in connection with the June 24, 2020 slaying of Elijah Ortega. He was sentenced by Judge Kevin C. Doyle, according to Sharmese L. Walcott, State’s Attorney for the Hartford Judicial District.

Evidence presented at trial showed that on June 24, 2020, Windsor Locks police officers were called to Pesci Park for a report of shots fired in the area. Investigation revealed a confrontation between two parties was planned at the park in an effort to settle a dispute. Witnesses testified that they saw Baez pull a gun out of a fanny pack. Ortega yelled for everyone to run, and as he did, Baez shot at Ortega, hitting him twice, Walcott said.

Ortega, a member of the Windsor Locks High School basketball team, was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Walcott said.

"This is another case of senseless gun violence devastating communities and families," Walcott said in a written statement. "I hope this sentence brings some measure of peace to the victim's family and loved ones. Their pain was palpable throughout this arduous process."