Two people were shot, one killed, early Saturday morning in Hartford's 18th homicide of the year.
According to police, 23-year-old Hartford resident Hiram Martinez was shot in the head and killed in a car on Hendricxsen Avenue near Colt Park around 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
The surviving victim, identified as 24-year-old Dedrick Jimenez, of Hartford, was shot in the shoulder and is listed in stable condition in the hospital, according to police.
Police taped off the area to gather DNA evidence and search the area for clues. Authorities are still working to identify a suspect.
Hartford resident Kevin Vega said the crime scene caught him by surprise.
“It's a safe place, the parks. I've been here in the South End for maybe, like, 32 years," Vega said. "Family members come here on Sunday to use it.”
Vega said that explaining what happened to his children is the hardest part.
Local
"I tell my son that times are changing," Vega said. "I tell my son to talk to your neighbors."
He said he's hoping for justice and is thinking about the families of those involved so close to Christmas.
"A tragedy like this to happen and right before the holidays, that's what it is. It's a tragedy," Vega said.
