Crime
20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her four-month-old son Messiah Diaz killed in Hartford shooting
The man in the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where he is now recovering.
Tragedy struck Hartford on Tuesday when a mother and her infant were fatally shot in what police are calling a targeted attack.
The victims have been identified as 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado of Springfield and her four-month-old son, Messiah Diaz.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:47 p.m. near Thomas Hyland Memorial Park on New Britain Avenue.
Mercado was sitting in her car with her baby and a man in his 20s when another vehicle pulled alongside them and opened fire, according to the Hartford Police Department.
Mercado and her son were pronounced dead at the scene.
The man in the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where he is now recovering.
The location of the shooting, close to a daycare center and Trinity College, has heightened community concerns.
Hartford Police have not yet released a description of the suspect or their vehicle but are actively pursuing leads.
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and analyzing surveillance footage from nearby cameras in hopes of identifying the assailant.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Hartford Police Department as they continue their investigation into this heartbreaking incident.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.