The Bridgeport community came together to support the family of slain 21-year-old Jamel Hayden and to thank police for their speedy arrest of a suspect in this case.
Exactly three weeks after Hayden was shot to death on Lincoln Avenue, police said they arrested a 16-year-old suspect Friday morning.
A small group of residents and elected officials came together Saturday to hold what they called a “vigil of thanks” for progress in the case.
The group says they want Hayden’s loved ones to know they are not alone and that he didn’t die in vain.
“It’s a double tragedy here — a young person taken; a young person arrested. We want to see the end of gun violence in the city of Bridgeport,” says state Sen. Dennis Bradley.
Resident Carolyn Vermont says, “I think as a community we have to work harder. We know the guns are coming in— but somehow we have to get through to our young people to make better choices.”
Police released surveillance video shortly after the murder that showed suspects running from the scene. Investigators say they believe the suspects tried to steal $250 worth of marijuana from the victim and when he resisted, they shot him in the back.
The 16-year-old suspect is being held on a $3 million bond.
The group is demanding that the other suspects in the case be quickly arrested as well.