LeAnne Gendreau

Police Seek ‘Dangerous' Man Suspected in New Haven Murder and Shooting Cases

The murder victim was a 28-year-old woman who was shot in her car in front of her children.

New Haven police continue to search for an armed and dangerous man who they said is suspected of shooting of his wife around a month ago and shooting and killing 28-year-old Tyekqua Nesbitt in front of her children around three weeks later.

Tramaine Marquese Poole, 41, is suspected of shooting his 36-year-old wife on May 7 and shooting and killing Nesbitt on May 31, according to police. They said the shootings are connected, but not how.

Authorities are searching for Poole, who should be considered armed and dangerous. They urge anyone with information on where he is to come forward. 

Poole's wife contacted authorities at 2:20 p.m. Monday, May 7, as she was being driven to the hospital, and reported that her husband had shot her on Henry Street.

Then police somehow linked him to a fatal shooting nearly three weeks later, on May 31.

Police said Nesbitt was in a car with her two children, ages 6 and 11, when she was shot at Wilmot Road and Wintergreen Avenue in New Haven. During a news conference Tuesday, police said the two shootings are connected.

Nesbitt's family is begging anyone with information that will lead police to Poole to come forward.

“I stand here, next to my mom, begging and pleading for this city and the community to come together just so we can have some type of justice so my sister can rest and her kids can feel safe,” Tyekqua’s twin sister, Tashauna Nesbitt, said Wednesday.

“Until he’s apprehended, we cannot rest,” she added.

An arrest warrant for Poole in connection with the May 7 shooting includes charges of first-degree assault, risk of injury, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Charges for the May 31 slaying include murder, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of risk of injury and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

The U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force is assisting New Haven police in locating Poole and a $5,000 cash reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Poole is 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, with short black hair. He has tattoos on both arms and might be wearing a disguise, including a wig with dreadlocks. He also might be dressing as a woman, police said.

Poole should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on Poole or his whereabouts should call police at 203-946-6316 or Text-A-Tip. Text “NHPD plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES) Calls may be made anonymously.

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