A Hamden teenager has been charged with attempted murder in connection with Saturday night's shooting that left one man hospitalized.
The 17 year-old was arrested Monday at a New Haven home and was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.
The teenager allegedly shot 22-year-old Aaron Brandon of New Haven, who was shot in the stomach in a Warner Street parking lot, Smith said. After being treated by Hamden Fire Rescue at the scene, he was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he underwent surgery, Smith said.
The shooting happened around the corner from Southern Connecticut State University near the New Haven town line.
"Officers learned that as Brandon was walking through the parking lot, he was approached by an individual, who placed a gun into his midsection and shot him," Smith said. "Brandon subsequently attempted to flee the area on foot, before collapsing. Detectives quickly obtained information, which led to the identity of the suspect, a 17 year-old Hamden resident."
The juvenile is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on Sept. 11, Smith said.
The shooting is the second in a month to take place in southern Hamden, and again has residents speaking out about the increasing incidents of crime there.
"These are commanding challenges we face in the south end that affect the whole of Hamden," said activist Shahid Abdul-Karim.
"Residents in the south end have asked for increase lighting in the hot-spots to help deter crime, facade and streetscape improvements on Dixwell Avenue, frequent public works cleaning and more funding for additional police units on our town streets," he said.
"Our elected representatives, especially in Hamden's south end, have to be more vigilant and take the lead of addressing these alarming issues," he said. "We don't need weak leadership and bureaucracy representing us in times like these. We need strong leadership that's going to serve the needs and interest of the community."
"I am appealing to the mayor to take a stand on the issues facing southern Hamden," First Street resident Betty Murray told the Legislative Council this week. "This is terror for us."
Over the past months, she has been outspoken in her efforts to rid the area of crime, and she has paid the price, Murray said.
"I had to leave my home for three weeks because of it," she said. "My question is, what are you willing to do about it?"
