Hartford Police Offer $5,000 Reward in Search for Suspected Shooter of Pastor, Second Man

Hartford police are announcing a $5,000 reward for help in the capture of a man suspected of shooting a pastor who was putting flags out for Memorial Day, then shooting a 27-year-old man at another location 14 minutes later.

Aaron J. Taylor, 25, of Windsor, is wanted on attempted murder and assault charges in connection to both shootings and police are searching for him. Hartford police have received information information that Taylor has returned to the Hartford region after previously leaving the state and that he is active in the area.

Police said to use caution if you encounter Taylor and warned against approaching him because the firearm from the incidents hasn't been recovered and he has "extremely violent tendencies."

Taylor is suspected of shooting Rev. Dr. Augustus Sealy, 54, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, outside the First Church of the Nazarene at 932 Capital Ave. just before 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, police said. The pastor was putting out flags for Memorial Day services on his fifth anniversary at the church, according to police. Sealy was last reported to be recovering in the hospital from being shot twice in the right leg and once in the left shoulder. 

Robert Jones, 27, of Hartford, was shot at least six times at about 6:41 a.m. that Sunday at 402 Garden St. and police believe Taylor was the person who shot him. An ambulance brought Jones to the emergency room at Saint Francis Hospital, where he was later listed in serious, but stable condition.

Taylor was last seen driving a black Nissan Maxima and the marker plate is unknown, police said. He is also suspected in other crimes, but police did not release information on those other incidents. 

He is a felon previously convicted of multiple firearm offenses, police said.

Surveillance video of Taylor buying a Red Bull at a Hartford convenience store helped police identify him as a suspect.

Police said the motive for both crimes is unclear. Investigators previously said that they are looking into whether the shooting of the pastor might have been a hate crime.

"I can tell you we do hear from residents that the church is very accepting and open to the LGBT community," Hartford police spokesman Deputy Chief Brian Foley previously said. "So there were some statements made at the scene that certainly keep the idea of it being a hate crime open to our investigators."

The warrant for Taylor carries charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree assault, as well as a $1.35 million court-set bond. He has a long criminal record, including carrying a pistol without a permit, escape and resisting arrest. 

The department asks anyone with information on the suspect to contact Lt. Brandon O'Brien at 860-757-4089.

Hartford police have a press conference scheduled for 1:15 p.m. to release more information on the reward.

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