2 Suspects ID'd In Wednesday's Shooting: West Hartford PD: UPDATE

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Two local men have now been charged in connection with the Wednesday afternoon shooting on Hillcrest Avenue that sent one victim to the hospital.

According to the West Hartford Police Department, at about 2:49 p.m., officers were sent to 134 Hillcrest Ave. for a report of shots being fired.

Police said responders located an adult "who appeared to have suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds."

Thursday afternoon, the WHPD said two West Hartford men have been charged in connection with the incident. Initially, police had one suspect in custody, but during the investigation, another was charged.

The suspects, police said, are:

• Richard Aponte, 19, from West Hartford, was taken into custody on scene and later charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm; possession of a high-capacity magazine; possession of a firearm without a permit; first-degree reckless endangerment; second-degree assault with a firearm; and interfering with a police investigation.

Aponte was issued a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court on Friday, Dec. 19.

• Dechon Jones, 32, of West Hartford, was later charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm; first-degree reckless endangerment; and second-degree assault with a firearm.

Jones was issued a $750,000 bond and was scheduled to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court on Friday, Dec. 19.

Wednesday afternoon, the WHPD and West Hartford Fire Department provided medical care at the scene, and the adult was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

The West Hartford Police Detective Division responded and assumed control of the scene.

"At this time, it appears this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety," wrote the WHPD.

Hillcrest Avenue was closed for a brief period during the investigation, but the road has now reopened.

"This remains an active and ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time," police wrote.

Police did not identify the victim or the victim's age/gender.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the WHPD Tip Line/email at 860-570-8969 /
whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.