High schooler shot, killed just steps from his home

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - A 16-year-old was shot and killed just steps from his home in New Haven on Memorial Day, according to police.

New Haven police identified the victim as Marc Mulongo, a sophomore at Hillhouse High School.

The shooting happened in a driveway near Reed Street and Shelton Avenue around 8:20 p.m. on Monday.

Police said Mulongo was outside playing basketball with his friends earlier in the evening on Shelton Avenue.

His mom said he was by a car parked in that driveway next door and looking on his phone when someone fired one shot.

The teen was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital for medical treatment.

He died in the hospital as a result of his injuries, police said.

His mother’s life is completely turned upside down as police search for his killer.

“For me it’s like I’m going to see him again, it’s like he’s going to come back home,” said Nellya Mballa.

Mballa said her son would spend hours in this driveway shooting hoops.

But Mulongo’s life is now gone, and his dreams are shattered after someone shot him Monday night.

“He was a good boy, you can ask everyone on the street, you can go to the school and talk to the teachers,” Mballa said.

“The person who shot him, thought he was someone else,” said John Murphy.

John Murphy doesn’t believe his girlfriend’s son was the intended target. He considered Mulongo as his own son.

“He was a great young man, did everything, very kind to all people, but he got his life taken and it took my life too because without him, I just don’t have a life at all,” Murphy said.

As police investigate, they are asking anyone with information to step forward.

Those who live in the neighborhood told Channel 3 something needs to be done.

“I would like to have a community meeting about the violence, that’s taking place in our community,” said Dara Goodman of New Haven. “It’s ridiculous. We shouldn’t have to live like that. I grew up in this neighborhood, I lived here most of my life and it wasn’t like this when I was his age.”

Living in the area for six years, Mulongo’s mother said the violence worried her, adding she wanted to move before anything happened to her little boy.

Now she wants justice for her son, insisting there are those who know exactly what happened.

“I know people, people know something, I know that and the killer is just around us, he’s not too far,” Mballa said.

Police believe it was a targeted incident, but the teen may not have been the intended victim.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss of young life,” said New Haven police Chief Karl Jacobson. “Our detectives are working tirelessly to piece together the events that led to this tragedy. We are asking anyone who may have information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to come forward and help us bring those responsible to justice.”

New Haven Public Schools released a statement on Mulongo:

The New Haven Police Department asked anyone with information to call them at 203-946-6304, or their anonymous tip line at 866-888-TIPS.

This is a developing story. Stay with Channel 3 for updates.

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