NEW HAVEN – The gunman who shot and killed a man, and wounded a New Haven Police Captain is still at large, police said in a Tuesday afternoon briefing.
Police refuted a report that the suspect was captured in West Haven.
Captain Anthony Duff with the New Haven Police Department is out of surgery this morning following a shoot out with a homicide suspect Monday night.
Police said Duff got into a shootout with a suspect who killed another individual last night in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Henry Street.
New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said Duff witnessed the shooting and engaged the suspect in gunfire. The suspect then shot Duff, who was not in uniform.
“We are standing here today as one community, to say that we will not tolerate gun violence in our city,” said Chief Reyes in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “Yesterday we lost a young man from this community to violence right on this street. He was murdered by someone, and that someone almost murdered a police officer as well.”
“I just want to reiterate that we are standing here with this community as one, to say that we will not tolerate gun violence. And I stand here with men and women of this department to say to the individual who shot and murdered a community member on the street, and the individual that almost murdered a police officer, that we are going to extend every resource available to us, to bring you to justice,” Reyes added.
At this time, the suspect is at large and Connecticut State Police are assisting in this investigation. Police are searching for a suspect described as a black male with long braids, a muscular build, a goatee, wearing a black shirt and black pants.
“Make no mistake about it, we will find you, and we will bring you to justice,” Reyes said. “You will not turn your gun against a police officer, who is just trying to make sure that he affirms the oath that he made to this community.”
State Police released a statement regarding the investigation Tuesday morning:
“Following the shooting in New Haven on Monday night, the New Haven Police Department and the New Haven State’s Attorney called on Connecticut State Police to assist in the investigation. State Police is currently assisting on several levels as we work to determine what transpired during the late-night incident.”
“I know I share with all New Haven residents the sincere desire for his continuing and thorough recovery. I know I share with all residents profound gratitude for his dedicated and long-standing service to this city,” said New Haven Mayor Tony Harp.
Mayor Harp added, “I am grateful to Captain Duff, who is resting and healing and inspiring the rest of us with his courage and his sense of duty.”
FOX61 has also learned that Duff became a grandfather last night, as his daughter gave birth.
Listen to edited New Haven Radio dispatch from Monday night.
Reaction poured in Tuesday from departments across the state:
