Man, 39, Who Faces 2 Murder Charges In Double-Homicide Was 'Called To Fight Scene:" New Haven Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 39-year-old man has been charged in connection with the Aug. 25 double homicide on Dickerman Street, New Haven police spokesperson officer Christian Bruckhart said.

Sergio Thomas, of New Haven, was arrested Friday without incident in Waterbury, police said. Thomas, who is facing two counts of murder, was arraigned in court early Monday and had a $3 million bail set.

According to New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson, who shared remarks on the case in a briefing Monday afternoon, the double-fatal shooting followed a fight on Whalley Avenue. He said video footage of the entire incident, from before, during and after the crime, showed "who was on scene," and what occurred.

Jacobson said that there was a fight where one of the victims and another person involved "had previously done jail time together." He said the man had just been released from jail in July.

"We believe Thomas was called to the scene," of the fight, Jacobson said. Jacobson confirmed Thomas is the legal owner of two registered 9 mm guns, and that cops believe shell casings from one of those guns will match ballistics found at the murder scene. A reporter at the briefing noted that Thomas' attorney argued his client was acting in self-defense.

Jacobson said investigators believe that Thomas was called to the scene to "step in and help his little brother."

Jacobson said that at homicide victim Hyman's funeral this weekend, he was "able to tell his mother" police had made an arrest.

Watch the full briefing here:

Original story:

The double shooting Monday (Aug. 25) on Dickerman Street left two men dead and two days later, police released both their identities.

The first victim, identified as Daiquan Hyman, 26, of East Haven, was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital. The second victim, Ernest Williams, 32, of New Haven, succumbed to his injuries late Monday evening.

At 2:20 p.m. Monday, police reported on social media that officers "were out with a double shooting on Dickerman Street."

Forty minutes later, just before 3 p.m., police said the case was "now a homicide investigation," as one of the men injured by gunfire had "succumbed to his injuries."

Soon after, police said the man, now identified as Hyman, had died. As of early Tuesday morning, police reported Williams had died as a result of his gunshot injuries.

Bruckhart said that "based on the initial investigation, it appears that an altercation occurred between a group of men, which began with an argument then escalated into a fight prior to the shooting."