HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley addresses the media after the deadly shooting on the basketball court at Rawson School
The details:
On Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 4:30pm Hartford Police
Department Patrol Officers and Shooting Task Force Detectives responded to the
basketball court at 260 Holcomb Street after several 911 calls for shots fired.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene with numerous individuals
fleeing from the basketball court area of the school. A basketball tournament
was being held at this location with hundreds of people attending. Officers
located a male victim (Identified as James Headen, 41 of Hartford) suffering
from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital via
ambulance. As this was occurring, 3 other victims arrived separately at St.
Francis by private vehicles. These 3 victims were each suffering from non-life
threatening gunshot wounds. At 10:49pm James Headen was pronounced deceased.
Victims:
James Headen, 41 of Hartford, was shot in the head.
(Pronounced deceased at 10:49pm)
Justin Jones, 23 of Hartford, was shot in the hip/groin.
(Stable, admitted, non-life threatening)
Shawn Patterson, 24 of Hartford, was shot in the hand.
(Treated and released)
Roosevelt Holmes, 23 of Windsor, was shot in the calf/ankle
area. (Treated and released, taken into police custody)
Detectives from the Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene
Division began the investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was
learned that a basketball tournament was taking place at a basketball court
adjacent to the Rawson School when the shooting occurred. Major Crimes
Detectives, STF Detectives and patrol officers all received information that
Roosevelt Holmes a.k.a. “Roe” became involved in a dispute while the tournament
was taking place. (It is, at this time, unclear who this dispute was with, but
it does not appear that it was with any of the other victims) Holmes was not a
participant in the tournament. The dispute escalated and numerous shots were
fired. This is when James Headen, who by all accounts was an innocent bystander,
was struck in the head. This is also when the other 3 victims were struck by gun
fire.
At St. Francis, Patrol Officers detained the transporting
vehicles and drivers. Evidence, to include at least one firearm believed to be
involved in this incident, was secured. This firearm was found in the vehicle
which delivered Roosevelt Holmes to the Hospital. Upon release from the
hospital, Holmes was taken to the HPD Major Crimes for interview. Following the
interview he was placed under arrest and charged, held on a $1,000,000 bond.
Holmes , a convicted felon, could potentially face further charges.
Charges:
1. Criminal Possession of
a Firearm
2. Criminal
Attempt/Assault First Degree
3. Reckless Endangerment
First Degree
4. Unlawful Discharge of a
Firearm
This investigation is ongoing. We are asking for any
witnesses to please reach out to the Hartford Police Department. We believe that
video evidence exists to this event. We are asking for any assistance in
obtaining this video. Anonymous sources can contact HPD anonymously at our
website. The Major Crimes Division is continuing to investigate this homicide
and the investigation is progressing.