Hartford

Vehicle Fleeing Scene of Hartford Shooting Hits, Kills 71-Year-Old Woman: Police

Westland Street is closed.

A 71-year-old Hartford woman is dead after being struck by a car fleeing from the scene of shooting in Hartford on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Police responded to Garden and Westland streets just before 1:30 p.m. after ShotSpotter went off and an officer saw two people firing rounds at another group of people, police said.

The groups were in two different vehicles. 

As one of the vehicles, a Kia fled, it struck the 71-year-old Hartford woman and she was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police.

Family members have identified that woman as Yvonne Smith.

The vehicle crashed shortly after hitting the woman and police said it was reported stolen from Manchester.

“Not only is this a shooting investigation, it is also a motor vehicle fatality investigation,” Lt. Paul Cicero, of Hartford Police, said.

Police believe four people were involved in the shooting.

They said they found a 17-year-old boy hiding. He was suffering from a gunshot wound and is in stable condition.

Police said they believed he was involved in the shooting, but they said Friday that he is no longer in custody and has not been charged. 

A 16-year-old boy was also located nearby and was detained. On Friday, police said they charged a 16-year-old with manslaughter in the first-degree, evading responsibility resulting in death and larceny in the second degree.

Police said they believe four people from two groups were involved in the shooting.

Mayor Luke Bronin responded to the tragedy Thursday night.

“Our entire city sends our prayers to the family of the woman who was killed after being struck by a car involved in a shooting this afternoon on Westland Street. Any time violence takes a life in our community it’s a tragedy, and to lose an innocent life as senselessly as this is just gut wrenching. Our police department has already apprehended two individuals involved, and they are working hard to bring all of the perpetrators involved to justice," Bronin said in a statement.

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