NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven police are searching for a suspect who they say shot and killed a man in the Hill section of the city early Friday morning. At this point in the investigation, police believe it stemmed from some type of dispute.
Police were called to Vernon St. near Congress Ave around 6:35 a.m. on Friday for reports of a shooting. When the officers arrived, they found a male who had been shot multiple times. Police said the suspect can be seen on camera running away from the scene, toward Yale New Haven Hospital.
The victim was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later.
New Haven Police have identified the victim as 45-year-old Ji'Tu Garrett of Meriden.
"It's apparent that the male, the victim and the suspect might have known each other or that it was a targeted incident," said Chief Karl Jacobson with the New Haven Police Department.
The shooting happened right near the Apt Foundation, a place where people get medical treatment for opioid disorders. Chief Jacobson said he does not believe the people involved in the shooting were clients at the clinic. However, he, and the mayor say it is a problem area.
"The Apt Foundation is doing good things for the community but, where the Apt Foundation is, attracts a lot of attention," Jacobson said. "We have seen drug dealers fight over areas in the past. We've seen drug dealers set up and we've done the best we can to disperse those operations and make it safe, since there is a school nearby."
Mayor Justin Elicker said the clinic is an essential part of the community, but they are working on a better place for it on Sgt. Dr.
"It's really important that we provide treatment for people, but this is not the best site for it. it's too residential, it's near a school," Elicker said.
In the meantime, police are working hard to stop the streak of violence, as this now marks New Haven's 11th homicide of the year.
"We have solved five of the 11 already, there's three warrants at the state's attorneys office so, we'll be as high as eight solved out of the 11," Jacobson said.
Police are also joining in on an initiative next week, going door to door with local community groups, and talking to people who are most at-risk in the area.
"And the message is, we want you safe, alive and out of jail," Jacobson said.
In the meantime, anyone with information on this incident is urged to call 203-946-6304 or through the department’s anonymous tip line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).
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