CONVICTED FELON CHARGED IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE BY HPD

On September 23rd at 12:38am, Hartford Police Department patrol officers responded to the area of 1164 Albany Avenue on a report of shots fired by both the automated ShotSpotter systems, as well as several 911 calls. HPD  Officers arrived and found four gunshot victims. One of the four victims (Joshua Taylor) was pronounced deceased on scene. Another victim (Jovan Wooten) was found unresponsive and transported to St. Francis Hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on September 29^th 2017.  Two other victims were also located suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. The Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Division initiated and lead the investigation. Initial investigation revealed that a verbal had altercation occurred on the sidewalk to 1164 Albany Avenue, an area known for very heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.   The altercation escalated to gunfire when the intended target (deceased, Joshua Taylor) was struck by a single gunshot to the head.  One of the individuals who was with him, (licensed gun permit holder-Jovan Wooten) returned fire.  It appears at this time that he did not strike the shooter, but was met with return fire from the suspect, resulting in him taking a fatal gunshot to the face.   When Wooten was located  by HPD officers, his licensed firearm was still in his possession.  Detectives from the HPD Major Crimes Division and HPD C4 analysts secured surveillance video in the area which recorded the incident.  Several pieces of crucial evidence were secured and analyzed by the Hartford Police Crime Scene Division.  Ultimately, the combination of forensic evidence,  surveillance video, and cooperative citizens led to probable cause to charge Latroy Johnson, 40 of Windsor CT, with the homicides. 

On Monday, November 6, 2017, an arrest warrant was drafted and submitted to the Hartford State's Attorney and a Judge of the Superior Court. The arrest warrant was approved and signed by both. The arrest warrant had a two million dollar Judge set bond attached and charges the accused, Latroy Johnson, with two count of Murder, Assault First, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm-all in violation of Connecticut General Statute.

Today, November 7, 2017. HPD Major Crimes detectives developed information that Johnson (A convicted felon with 23 previous arrests currently out on CT Probation) was scheduled for a probation meeting in Hartford. Upon his arrival to the meeting, members of the Hartford Police Department and U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force safely and peacefully took Johnson into custody without incident.

Johnson was then transported to the Hartford Police Major Crimes Division to be debriefed by the lead detectives before being transferred to the Hartford Police booking facility where he was processed for his charges.  Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court located at 101 Lafayette Street on November 08, 2017 at 9:30 am.  Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call Lieutenant Paul Cicero of the Major Crimes Division at 860-757-4179, or the confidential tip line at 860-722-TIPS.

Victim: Jovan Wooten 11/11/1979 of New Britain CT

Victim: Joshua Taylor 02/19/1986 Unknown address, no CT History, recent indication he resided in New Jersey.

Accused: Latroy Johnson 01/05/1977 of Windsor CT

Deputy Chief Brian J Foley