2 high schoolers shot in Hartford double homicide

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Two Hartford high schoolers were shot and killed Saturday night in Hartford, marking the city’s sixth and seventh homicides of the year, according to police.

The Hartford Police Department responded to Dillon Place around 10:30 p.m. on Hendricxsen Avenue after receiving multiple calls of shots fired. Officers found two unresponsive males in a stairwell suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to a hospital, where police said they were pronounced dead.

Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, identified the high schoolers as Lavante Brown, a 19-year-old student at Weaver High School from Hartford, and Aydin Davis, a 16-year-old student at University High School of Science and Engineering (UHSSE) from Bloomfield.

Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert told News 8 that a group of 10-12 young adults were inside one of the Dillon Place apartments Saturday night when shots rang out.

“It sounds like it escalated inside the apartment, he said.” Whatever happened happened very quickly, and that’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

Boisvert said the people who were at the party were mostly cooperative in the investigation.

“We’ve interviewed several of them,” he said. “We have several more interviews to do, so we’re putting all of this together. I feel confident we’ll come to a conclusion on this.”

Some neighbors are worried after hearing about the double homicide.

“I don’t feel comfortable because I’m scared now,” neighbor Andres Tejada said. “I have two jobs. I get out at 6:30 in the morning, and at 12:30, I have to go to another job, and I’ll be coming home in the night. I don’t feel safe.”

For others, this brings up tough memories. Rachel Otero is reminded of her 20-year-old grandson, who was also killed by gun violence at a hookah lounge in Middletown a year ago.

“It doesn’t seem to stop or go away,” she said.” It’s just stagnant until you hear another news, and then you’re worrying about that family, you’re thinking about their pain.”

Otero said youth violence is getting out of control now that two more families have to mourn lives that have been cut too short.

“We shouldn’t be burying them,” she said. “They should be burying us when it’s our time. They should be out there having fun, good fun with good people.”

Torres-Rodriguez released a statement Sunday morning, saying in part, “Our District Crisis Intervention Team has been assembled and will help with the needs of students, families, and school personnel. We have counselors and social workers available for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance. We extend our condolences to Lavante’s and Aydin’s family and friends. We are extremely saddened by the loss to the Weaver, UHSSE, and HPS community. We will provide additional information as it becomes available and will make every effort possible to help our students, families, and staff as needed.”

A vigil hosted by Mothers United Against Violence will be held Tuesday night on Hendricxsen Avenue to remember Brown and Davis.

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