17-year-old charged as adult in connection with fatal Halloween shooting in New Haven.
In a tragic incident that unfolded in New Haven during Halloween festivities, two young individuals have been arrested in connection to a shooting that left one woman dead and three others injured. The incident occurred early on November 1, around 2:34 a.m., amidst a throng of 5,000 to 7,000 Halloween revelers. New Haven city officials confirmed the developments at a press conference on Tuesday, revealing the grave circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Eighteen-year-old Alexa Acevedo was fatally struck by a stray bullet while walking innocently down the street. Despite the concerted efforts of hospital staff at Yale-New Haven Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. New Haven Police Assistant Chief David Zannelli remarked on the senseless nature of her death, emphasizing her innocence during the tragic occurrence.
The alleged shooter, 17-year-old Dalon Jett, has been charged with murder and various other crimes including first-degree attempted criminal assault and illegal possession of a firearm. Notably, Jett was previously on probation for firearms offenses, and the GPS monitoring on him had been lifted just a day prior to the shooting. Under state law, he will be tried as an adult.
In addition to Acevedo, three others sustained injuries during the incident. Among them were 18-year-old Alissa Hamberg from Northfield, New Hampshire, and 21-year-old Elijah Marrow from Derby, Connecticut. While Marrow was reported to be in stable condition, Hamberg’s initial state was critical but later stabilized.
Authorities also identified 19-year-old Charles Woodall of East Hartford as another participant in the altercation. He reportedly fired the initial shot, prompting a violent exchange between the groups involved. Woodall was arrested in December on a firearms charge, with bond set at 0,000. He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm, with a subsequent bond set at 0,000.
Witness accounts indicate that Acevedo and Hamberg were not associated with Woodall when he discharged his weapon, which struck Marrow, another innocent bystander. In a return of fire from Jett and a third suspect — whose name has not yet been disclosed pending arrest — Acevedo and Hamberg were hit.
The loss of Acevedo, who was pursuing a degree in early childhood education at Connecticut State Community College Three Rivers, left a profound impact on her family and community. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker addressed the broader issues of gun violence in a city grappling with challenges posed by youth involvement in violent incidents. He noted the unsettling reality of teenage involvement in gun crimes as an ongoing concern for many communities.
As this tragedy unfolds, Acevedo’s family shared their sorrow, highlighting the urgent need to address gun violence and its devastating consequences. The lamentations of her sister echoed a call for change in a world increasingly plagued by firearm-related deaths, underscoring the profound loss of potential embodied in the life of a young woman cut short.
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