Suspect walks up to woman in Hartford, shoots her several times, police say

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A woman died and a man was hurt in a double shooting in Hartford late Thursday night.

Police said they responded an area on Westland Street after they received calls for a female victim with gunshot wounds.

Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department provided some details during a news conference on Friday morning.

Two victims arrived at St. Francis Hospital in separate cars following the initial reports of the shooting.

A 32-year-old woman from Hartford, identified as Shadarean Ellison, was pronounced dead after she arrived at the hospital.

Police said a male victim in his 40s suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to survive.

“I can say with some confidence that the female was targeted. The shooting was up close and personal. It does not look like the male was an intended victim at this point.”

Boisvert went on to provide more details about the homicide.

“The shooter approached on foot, walked up to the female, and shot her numerous times,” he said. “That’s why we believe that this might have been a targeted attack.”

A group of about five people had gathered on Westland Street when the shooting happened, according to police.

As part of the the homicide investigation, Channel 3 saw police at the scene as they collected evidence.

Police said their search of the area revealed a number of shell casings on the sidewalk and in a nearby parking lot. The whole shooting was caught on camera.

“We have a lot of work to do. There is a lot of crime scene evidence to process, and our major crimes division will be doing a thorough inspection of video cameras in the area, with the hopes of identifying suspect information,” Boisvert added.

People living nearby said something needs to change.

“Stop harming people. That was somebody’s child,” Rudy said.

The murder has those who live in the area heartbroken.

“I feel for her family and I hope that her family can find some type of closure,” said Alyssa Stewart of Hartford.

Stewart lives down the street from where the attack happened.

“There’s some DNA evidence some forensic evidence, all kinds of lab work, takes time, again we have a lot to work with on this one,” Boisvert said.

As officers process the evidence, those living in the north end are keeping Shadarean in their thoughts and worrying about what the future holds.

“I’m scared for my four grandchildren. They’re still little. What’s going to happen in the next 10 years. It’s a scary thing to think about,” said Marietta Bolds of Hartford.

“I would just like to see people stop the violence, just put down the guns and I would like for the cops to take the guns from like, off the streets,” Stewart said.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Police are asking anyone with information to give them a call.

The Hartford Police Department asked anyone with information to contact them at 860-722-TIPS.

This is a developing story. Stay with Eyewitness News for updates.

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