Vigil held for two teens shot in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — At just 18-years-old, Avery Edwards is grappling with the unimaginable loss of his younger brother.

“Trying to grow up and do a lot of things to help a lot of people, and he didn’t even really get the chance to do those things,” said Edwards.

16-year-old Aydin Davis was found shot alongside 19-year-old Lavante Brown in a Hartford apartment complex stairwell. Hartford police said a group of 10 to 12 young adults were inside an apartment Saturday night when the shots rang out.

The incident marks the 6th and 7th homicides of the year in Hartford, leaving two families shattered.

Mothers United Against Violence held a vigil for the teens, pleading for change and unity.

Janice Hill, who lost her son to homicide in 2015, said, “I feel her hurt. I feel her pain because I’ve been there.”

As the community grapples with grief, Edwards is working towards being a part of Compass and Blue Hills Civic Association which provide support and opportunities for at-risk youth.

Kelvin Lovejoy from the Blue Hills Civic Association emphasized the importance of programs that offer not only academic support but also workforce development to prevent future tragedies.

“We think many of our young people in communities across Hartford need a program family as well as their biological family in order to make it, survive and thrive,” said Lovejoy.

“I just wish that we could all come together and just help the community so nothing else happens to no one else,” said Edwards.

Hartford police said the people who were inside the apartment that night are mostly being cooperative, and mentioned they feel confident they will be able to make arrests in connection to this double homicide soon.

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