New Haven Man Charged with May Robbery, Shooting

Hamden Police arrested a New Haven man Sunday who they say is responsible for a May robbery and shooting that happened Dixwell Avenue.

Turone Kelley, 29, of 375 Shelton Ave., New Haven, was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny and criminal possession of a firearm. 

The incident happened on May 29 at about 1 a.m., according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith, when police got a report of shots fired in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Goodrich Street. 

When police got there, an American Medical Response was treating a man, identified as 42 year-old Don Francis, who was shot in the groin, Smith said. Francis was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital with life threatening injuries, he said.

Police learned that Francis was leaving Tusky’s Deli at 321 Goodrich St., where he worked, when he was approached by a man wearing a mask and holding a gun, Smith said. 

"Francis immediately ran towards Dixwell Avenue, at which time he was shot in the groin/buttocks area. While lying on the ground, an individual who was later identified as Turone Kelly, pointed the gun at him while demanding money," Smith said. "Francis subsequently gave Kelley the proceeds from the store, throwing it in the street. While Kelley was retrieving the money, Francis fled on foot in an attempt to escape. A second gunshot was fired at him. It did not strike him."

Police believe that Kelley was with another man, described as approximately 220 lbs. with dread locks, Smith said.

Detective William Onofrio investigated and submitted an arrest warrant application to the court for Kelley, Smith said. On Sunday, Officers Gabe Garcia and Brian Kelly arrested Kelley while he was walking on Goodrich Street, Smith said.

Kelley was held in lieu of $250,000 bond and arraigned Monday in Meriden Superior Court.