New Haven Man, 26, Gets 33 Years In Fatal Shooting Of Teen: Prosecutor

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 26-year-old New Haven man was sentenced Tuesday to 33 years in prison for the fatal July 2022 shooting of 17-year-old high school graduate John Tubac-Saquil, State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. announced.

Kiyon Matheney was found guilty of first-degree armed manslaughter by a Superior Court jury in October.

Evidence introduced at trial showed that at around 11 on the night of July 3, Matheney shot Tubac-Saquil as the teen was talking to his girlfriend inside his truck, Doyle said. Tubac-Saquil died four days later. Matheney was arrested three months after the shooting, on Oct. 19, 2022, the state's attorney said.

Tubac-Saquil, a recent High School in the Community graduate at the time of his death, planned to start college in the fall of 2022, Doyle said. Several teachers and instructors, as well as Tubac-Saquil’s family, addressed the court at sentencing, the state's attorney said. In a news release, Doyle said he "extend(ed) his condolences to the Tubac-Saquil family, and his gratitude to the New Haven Police Department for their investigative efforts."

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexander C. Beck and Charles Johnson, who were assisted by Inspector Alfonso Vazquez, Doyle said.