A Hamden man is under arrest, accused in a crime that shocked the town: the afterschool fatal shooting of Elijah Gomez, 15.
Police say Jenigh Ward, 18, was arrested Monday and held on $1 million bond. He's charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and carrying a pistol without a permit.
Gomez, a Hamden High School freshman, was walking home on the afternoon of May 9 when he was gunned down in the Farmington Canal Linear Park.
"We do not think this was random," says Hamden Acting Police Chief Tim Wydra. "We believe he was targeted. We don't know why."
Wydra says detectives are investigating others, leaving the possibility of more arrests to come.
"Elijah Gomez was a very loved and respected young man," says Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett. "His life was cut short by a senseless act of violence."
Ward is due in court next Monday, June 13.
