HARTFORD, Conn — A 19-year-old and 20-year-old are dead after a shooting overnight Wednesday, Hartford police said.
Officers were called to a three-family home on Barker Street just before 1 a.m. on the report of a shooting.
Nearby officers got to the scene and up to the second floor of the home when they found the two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officials said officers then provided medical aid and chest compressions until EMS arrived and rushed the men to an area hospital. The two men were later pronounced dead.
Police said the two brothers were identified as 20-year-old Cesar Deaza-Escobar and 19-year-old Jonas Deaza-Escobar.
Family members told FOX61 Cesar just celebrated his birthday hours before he died.
"We don't know who would want to hurt them. We know the truth will come out and it'll come out real soon," said Kae, cousin of the two brothers.
Hartford Major Crimes is investigating the double shooting, and investigators are looking to see if there is surveillance camera footage from the area.
Lt. Aaron Boisvert said it's believed the shooting was a targeted attack. Investigators believe the suspect(s) came in through the back of the home up to the second floor, where the brothers were.
The shooting comes less than 24 hours after another shooting in Hartford on Buckingham Street, but Boisvert said it's not believed to be related to that shooting.
Police said they plan on talking to witnesses and looking into surveillance footage in the neighborhood.
The fatal double shooting marks the 37th and 38th homicide of the year. Boisvert said shooting numbers are down even though it's been a violent year.
"[...] I know that's not [of] any consolation to anybody – the violence continues. Our shooting numbers are down but more people are getting hit by the gunfire. And, not just Hartford. Every city is dealing with this, unfortunately," said Boisvert.
Family members have been distraught by their sudden loss.
"Justice will be served. That's what I already had been said. Justice will be served," said Jay, cousin of the two brothers.
They now only have pictures to remember them by.
"Got to see your older cousins die like this, go out like that. That's not how they should've been. They had a long life to live. They just started growing up. We all just started growing up," added Kae.
Reverend Henry Brown with Mothers United Against Violence has been the voice of violence prevention in Hartford. Too many times, he said people are not even safe in their own homes.
"The woman that got shot in the head in the kitchen - we seen that. The woman that was up on Urban Street in her garden, we seen that. We've seen it with the baby sitting in the car," said Rev. Brown.
The family held a balloon release Wednesday night in remembrance of the brothers. They will be holding a prayer vigil Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Hartford double homicide vigil
Police did not release information on any potential suspects at this time.
This is a developing story.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@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.