One Dead, One Critical After Separate Shootings in Hartford

Police in Hartford are investigating two separate shooting incidents that left one man dead and another in critical condition.

The violence started just before 1 p.m. when shots rang out near South Green Park, according to witnesses.

"I heard the gunshots, and at first I thought it was a firecracker. It was so loud, and the impact, you could hear it," said Adrian Irving.

Police said 34-year-old Huberto O'Neil, of Hartford, was found on the east sidewalk of the park with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face. He was pronounced dead at the scene, making this the sixth homicide of the year in the city. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Police say it appears to be a deliberate and targeted attack. They believe they know who is responsible.

"There are indications that this has some gang ties to it," said Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley.

Police said they're searching for a male suspect wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a black backpack who was last seen running north on Main Street.

Less than three miles away and only four hours later, police responded to calls of shots fired at Albany Avenue and Oakland Terrace.

"I seen a few people running, so I knew it wasn't like just a car accident. I knew then somebody was shooting, you know. I heard shots," said Hartford resident Sherece Muff.

According to police, 25-year-old Jonathan Weaver, of Hartford, was in his vehicle stopped at the intersection when the suspect walked up and fired into the vehicle.

Weaver was shot once in the neck. He then drove into the intersection and struck a Volkswagen Beetle. Police said he continued driving south down Oakland Terrace then headed to Saint Francis Hospital.

Hartford City Councilmember Ken Kennedy told NBC Connecticut that his daughter was driving to the mall in that Beetle when shots rang out. He explained that his daughter hit her head on the steering wheel in the accident but said she’s doing fine.

Police are searching for a newer black Toyota Corolla with a Pennsylvania license plate connected to that incident.

Authorities say they've already increased anti-violence operations on the streets for Saturday night in an effort to prevent more incidents.

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