Man Convicted In 2018 Hartford Murder: State

HARTFORD, CT — A 30-year-old Hartford man has been found guilty of firing the gunshots that killed a 27-year-old man he was arguing with inside a vehicle back in 2018.

Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford state’s attorney, said Thursday a Hartford Superior Court jury Wednesday found Vincent Jonathan Etwaroo, 30, of Hartford, guilty of murder.

According to evidence at the trial, on Aug. 20, 2018, Hartford police officers responded to a ShotSpotter notification of seven rounds of gunfire in the area of 592 Garden St.

Walcott said, upon arrival, police found the victim, Randolph Paidama, 27, of Hartford, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Despite life-saving efforts made at the scene, the victim succumbed to his injuries, she said.

Evidence showed the victim was in a vehicle with the defendant when the two began to argue.

According to authorities, when the vehicle arrived at the Garden Street location, both men exited the vehicle.

Walcott said the defendant then fired multiple gunshots at the victim and then fled the scene.

“The statewide trial team assumed this case when our office was very short-staffed and carried it through trial. The dedication and support of Hartford Police Department Sgt. Michael Rykowski, detectives Jeffrey Pethigal and Dennis DeMatteo (now retired), and members of the Hartford Police Department were invaluable during this case and the trial team is very thankful for their assistance," Walcott said in a statement Thursday.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 28 in Hartford Superior Court.

For more information on the case, click on this link.