HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Saturday afternoon on Main Street.
According to police, a gunshot victim was brought by private vehicle to St. Francis Hospital at 12:13 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 12:22 p.m.
The victim has been positively identified as 24-year-old Hartford resident Jaqhawn Walters.
Police say that soon after, a man later identified as 33-year-old Jason Stone of Hartford, called them and told a dispatcher that he was involved in a shooting that occurred at 3395 Main Street in the city's North End. Dispatchers advised him to drive to the Hartford Police Department where he was taken into custody. Police recovered a firearm from his vehicle they suspect was the weapon used in the shooting.
Police found a crime scene and surveillance video footage at 3395 Main Street, confirming Stone's accounts. Police say the video footage depicts "a brief physical encounter between the suspect and victim, followed by the shooting."
Police have charged Stone with one count of murder, he's being held on $1 million bond.
Walters was a 2018 graduate of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, where he was a basketball star. According to a statement from the college, the standout forward scored 1,821 career points and 1,167 rebounds at Albertus and was a D3Hoops.com All-American, GNAC All-Tournament Team, and GNAC Player of the Year.
In a message to the Albertus Community, President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D., stated, “For those of us fortunate enough to know Jaqhawn, or “JQ” as he was affectionately known to so many, we remember his beaming smile and larger than life personality, bringing joy to everyone around him, whether it was on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in spaces across our campus.”
A prayer service in memory of Jaqhawn is being organized and is likely to take place on Tuesday. In the meantime, grief counseling is being made available to the Albertus Community.
Anyone who may have information regarding the homicide of Jaqhawn Walters is asked to call the Hartford Police anonymous tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
