WATERBURY, Conn. — A fourth person has been arrested in the shooting death of a Waterbury teen in late 2023, police said.
On November 18, Waterbury officers received a report that 18-year-old Joseph Zavala had been dropped off at the emergency room at Saint Mary's Hospital.
According to officials, Zavala was found seriously injured with a gunshot wound. He was initially listed in critical condition before dying from his injuries, police said. Officials said that during their preliminary investigation, they learned that the shooting took place in the area of North Main Street at Kingsbury Street.
On Monday, police said they arrested Jada Ellis, 20, of Waterbury, in connection with the murder of Zavala. The Waterbury Police Department's Major Crimes unit found Ellis in Bristol last Friday, and she was taken into custody.
Ellis was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and weapons in a motor vehicle. Ellis was held on a $250,000 bond.
Ellis is the fourth arrest in the months-long murder investigation.
In March, police arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the murder. He was charged as an adult with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, reckless endangerment in the first degree, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal use of a gun. He is being held on a $3 million bond.
Last December, police arrested Nigel Robinson,19, of Waterbury, and charged him with similar charges as the 16-year-old and was also held on a $3 million bond.
Several days after the murder, police arrested 20-year-old Waterbury resident Duane Mercer. He was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegally firing a gun, first-degree reckless endangerment, and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held on a $2 million bond.
Police ask anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 203-574-6941, or their Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 203-755-1234.
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