NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven Police have identified the teen who was shot and killed while riding his bike on Valley St. on Monday.
Police said 16-year-old Joshua Vazquez of New Haven was riding his bike away from the corner store near Harper Ave just before 4:30 p.m. when a car pulled up next to him. Police said someone in that car shot him and drove off.
Someone called 911, and there was a ShotSpotter activation in the area where the shooting happened. Responding officers found Vazquez laying in the street, and tried to help him. He was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital where he died of his injuries.
"Nobody deserves to be gunned down on the street riding their bike. So, we're going to do everything possible to get justice for him and his family," said Chief Karl Jacobson with the New Haven Police Department.
Leaders in the city held an emergency meeting Tuesday, planning their response to this tragedy. They do not want to see any retaliation in light of this incident.
"I just want to note that we're getting a lot of help from the community and that we need to continue that help from the community," Chief Jacobson said. "We don't want people to take things into their own hands. Wait for the police to do what we do."
Mayor Justin Elicker responded to the scene with the chief on Monday.
"We're committed to confronting the violence, and it's a challenging time for communities of our own, but also around the nation," Mayor Elicker said.
Some of those efforts involve creating places like The West Hill Community Center, also known as 'The Shack' to neighbors in the area. Just last year, New Haven Alder, Honda Smith, played a major role in opening the center back up. She said Vazquez was heavily involved in the center, and she knew him well.
"Joshua was a gentle person. I don't want anyone to misconstrue it. He was a caring and loving person," Smith said.
Smith said Vazquez helped deliver food to his community and he kept up with the grounds at the center, mowing the lawn frequently. She joked that he took so much pride in it, he'd often go outside of the center's grounds and mow more lawns on Valley Street, even if they didn't need much of a touch up.
"Joshua was well-loved by this community. The community loved him, I loved him. He was my second son," Smith said.
On top of being involved in The Shack, Vazquez was also enrolled at Metropolitan Business Academy, but a spokesperson for New Haven Public Schools said he was not currently attending class in person.
The district sent out a statement saying, "Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of Joshua Vasquez on his devastating loss. Joshua’s death is being felt deeply by his fellow students and his teachers at Metropolitan Business Academy. We are providing counseling support to them. We thank the New Haven Police Department for their ongoing investigation and await their findings."
New Haven Police say there was a fight that happened at Metro Academy on Tuesday, just two hours before Vazquez was shot. Police say it involved a group of people who were not students pulling into the parking lot. Then, they got into a fight with a group of Metro students. However, at this time, they're not sure if the two incidents are connected.
"But it is concerning because there was a large fight that spilled into the street at the school. So there was a police presence at the beginning of school and the end of school today," Jacobson said.
Police ask that any witnesses who have not yet spoken with the Police contact the New Haven Police Department Investigative Services Division at 203-946-6304. Callers may remain anonymous or submit tips anonymously by calling 1-866-888-TIPS(8477), or email to ECIC@newhavenct.gov.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jareliz Diaz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jdiaz@fox61.com
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.