New Haven Police believe there is a connection between a shooting at a party in Hamden that injured five people and a boy who was shot while inside of a home in New Haven on Friday night.
Five people were shot while Hamden Police were clearing a 500-person house party around 8:45 p.m.
Officers were called to dispurse the massive party that spilled onto Choate Avenue.
"We were getting reports that there were drunk people on individuals' lawns, things of that sort, so we were here to disperse that and that's when the chaos began," Hamden Police Captain Ronald Smith said.
Officials said homeowners and guests began cooperatively dispersing. “While we had 3 or 4 officers on scene, someone began to shoot into the crowd. As far as we know right now, we have at least 5 victims,” Capt. Smith added.
Police said four victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Another was driven to a hospital by a friend.
According to police, the victims are all between the ages of 18 and 23.
Three victims have been released and the two others are staying in the hospital for observation. All of the injuries are considered non life-threatening.
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Police said officers who were on patrol in the neighborhood reported hearing gunfire shortly before 11:30 p.m.
A ShotSpotter activation and a 911 call helped police find a home on Thompson Street between Newhall Street and Shelton Avenue, where investigators believe several gunshots were fired, authorities said.
According to police, an 8-year-old boy who was lying in a bedroom on the first floor was hit by gunfire. He suffered a non life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
The boy's mother said her family is shaken and no longer feels safe in their home.
“Nobody want to sleep there for now, because it’s scary," Liliane Toupou told NBC Connecticut. “Every time I go downstairs the whole thing comes across my mind.”
"We will not tolerate violence that results in the shooting of an 8-year-old child in our city. We won't tolerate violent crime, especially that violent crime that happens with gunfire," said interim New Haven Police Chief Tony Reyes.
In a surveillance video released by New Haven Police, a car can be seen driving down the road before it reverses back down the same road. A few seconds later, someone can be seen getting out of the vehicle as it drives away. The video shows the person firing what looks like one shot into a home before running off.
Police believe the home was targeted, but Toupou, who says she shares all three floors of the multi-family home with extended family, said they largely keep to themselves and don't have any friends or enemies.
New Haven Police did not release details about exactly how they believe the two shootings are connected, but they said they are communicating with detectives on an hourly basis.
The investigation into both shootings is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
