x
Breaking News
More () »

Cold Case: Oswaldo Lugo

HARTFORD–It’s been 23 years since a man was killed in broad daylight in Hartford, and police are still trying to solve this crime. On June 23, 1993,...
promo288670882

HARTFORD--It's been 23 years since a man was killed in broad daylight in Hartford, and police are still trying to solve this crime.

On June 23, 1993, Hartford Police received several 911 calls about shots fired around 10:22 a.m. The shooting was in front of the St. Joseph Cathedral on Farmington Avenue, in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.

It turns out that it was a mugging gone bad. Oswaldo Lugo was outside when a man approached him. Lugo didn't put up a fight and handed over his wallet, but the suspect still shot him multiple times.

There were many witnesses--a meeting was happening next door--and a description was issued: a short black man, about 5-foot-6, with a dark complexion who was wearing a green print shirt and blue jeans.

Police had strong leads and a person of interest, someone who committed similar crimes in the exact same area both before and after Lugo's murder. However, there was never enough to charge the man with the crime.

Retired Hartford Police Officer Doug Fredericks, who was the first responding officer on scene to the shooting, became very familiar with both the case and Lugo' family.

Fredericks described Lugo as a "well-known member of the community that came to Hartford from Puerto Rico and was a success story in Hartford."

As Lugo lay in the hospital, Fredericks visited him every single day. Lugo died later that August.

Now, Fredericks has offered up $1,000 of his own money as a reward for any information leading to an arrest in this cold case.

If you have any information or remember anything at all, please call Hartford Police.

Before You Leave, Check This Out