West Hartford

Police Search for ‘Armed and Dangerous' Man in Connection to University Shooting

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West Hartford Police are looking for a man they said is wanted in connection with a shooting on the University of Saint Joseph campus early Friday morning.

West Hartford police are looking for 22-year-old Darnell Barnes, who they said is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Court officials have signed an extraditable warrant for Barnes, meaning any police department in the country can arrest him.

He is around 5-feet-5 and weighs 145 pounds, police said. They urge people to use caution because the gun used in the shooting has not been found.

The shooting happened in the parking area on the west side of the University of Saint Joseph campus around 2:20 a.m. and West Hartford police said an individual was transported to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds.

The person that was shot has serious injuries and is in stable condition, police said.

Barnes is not a student at the University of Saint Joseph, according to the university.

There was also a rollover single-vehicle crash on Albany Avenue near Bainston Road, which is believed to be connected to the shooting, police said.

Police shut down Albany Avenue between Steele Road and Prospect Avenue to investigate.

"West Hartford Police have assured USJ (University of Saint Joseph) that there is no threat to the community and that the campus is safe and secure. West Hartford Police are currently on campus investigating the incident," a statement from the University of Saint Joseph said.

Classes and activities at the university proceeded following their normal schedule.

Massachusetts State Police posted on Twitter that they were helping in the search and there was a police operation is in the Russell, Blandford area.

Massachusetts State Police said they cleared a car on the Mass Pike that Barnes had been driving, a black Nissan Pathfinder with New Mexico plate. Barnes was not inside, police said. That led to closing down part of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Anyone with information or who knows where Barnes is is asked to call the West Hartford Police Department Detective Division at (860) 570-8870, the Anonymous Tip Line (860) 570-8969 or e-mail whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov, contact your local Police Department or dial 911 if you have an emergency.

Barnes faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, assault with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility, and more. He will be held on a $1 million bond.

Detectives and officers everywhere are continuing their search for Barnes.

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