HAMDEN, Conn. — Police have identified a Hamden High School student who was found dead Monday afternoon near the Farmington Canal Greenway Trail in Hamden and now a homicide investigation is underway.
Elijah Gomez, a 15-year-old Hamden resident, whoattended Hamden High School.
Police said at 2:30 p.m. they were called to the Farmington Canal Linear Park, near Treadwell Street, on a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a gunshot victim on the canal line. First responders attempted life resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful.
A letter that went out to school parents by Superintendent Jody Goeler confirmed he attended Hamden High School. Goeler also said in the email that grief counselors would be available.
Detectives from the Hamden Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit are actively investigating the shooting as an apparent homicide investigation.
The identity of the boy has not been released at this time.
Neighbors of the area say it's a sad and unfortunate situation given the fact it's a mostly quiet area.
"At least for this far up it’s fairly uncommon. Farther down towards New Haven you go the worse it gets. But this area tends to be really quiet," Logan Moore said. "Throughout the day it's not dangerous by any means."
He and his brother, Lucas, walk the trail often including Monday.
"Not really much happens around here," Lucas said. "I think the craziest thing I’ve seen down there was somebody fell off their bike."
Angel Camejo, New Haven, said the situation is scary to think about. FOX61 spoke to him as he was running on the trail. He said it's a quiet area with bikers, runners, and walkers daily on the trail.
"Surprising honestly because most people that go on the trail are calm," he said. "Everybody says "hi" to each other."
The Canal Crossing apartment complex notified residents that a security officer would be patrolling the property for the next two days.
"Your well-being is of utmost importance to us," the email provided to FOX61 said.
Leonard Jahad, the executive director of the Connecticut Violence Intervention Program, came to the scene when he heard there was a shooting.
"Hamden's been pretty quiet. There's been a couple like singular incidents but they've been personal," he said. "There's too many guns out here. Everybody doesn't need to have a gun."
They work with those involved in risky behavior, particularly youth, including people in Hamden to encourage them to change their life around.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Hamden Police Department at 203-230-4000. Callers may remain anonymous
This is a developing story, check back for more details.
Tony Black is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tblack@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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