Crime & Safety
Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of Mother, Infant Identified By Hartford PD
Police said the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
HARTFORD, CT — Police are searching for Lance Morales, 23, of Waterbury, who is considered the suspect in the drive-by shooting deaths of Jessiah Mercado, 20, and Messiah Diaz, a 4-month-old, both of Springfield, Mass., according to WFSB 3 TV.
The double-fatal shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon on New Britain Avenue.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, police said Morales was last seen "driving a White Infiniti Q70 with Massachusetts plate 3NE-B35," according to WFSB 3 TV. He should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.
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An arrest warrant has been prepared and Morales will face two counts of murder, murder with special circumstances and other charges, WTNH News 8 reported. A bond has been set for $3 million.
Hartford Police Chief Kenny Powell pleaded with Morales to turn himself in "for the horrific crimes that you have done."
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"You see, this hit the heart of Hartford. You have taken the lives of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate that in this city," Powell said during the news conference, as reported by WTNH News 8.
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