West Hartford Police said Thursday that they are still investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon and have now arrested two individuals. [Updated, Dec. 19, 3:45 p.m.]

By Ronni Newton

Update, Dec. 19, 2024, 3:45 p.m.

West Hartford Police said Thursday afternoon that two men have now been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that took place Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:49 p.m. in the area of 134 Hillcrest Avenue.

Upon arrival at the scene, police located two men, one of whom was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The other man present, now identified as Richard Aponte, 19, of West Hartford, was arrested at the scene. Police charged him Wednesday 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 surety bond, and scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 19 in Hartford Superior Court.

On Thursday, police stated that after further investigation, a second arrest was made.

That suspect, identified as Dechon Jones, 32, of West Hartford, faces charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and attempted second-degree assault.

Jones was also issued a $750,000 surety bond, and scheduled for arraignment Thursday at Hartford Superior Court.

Police provided photographs of both men with the announcement of the arrests, and while they could not confirm that Jones was also the party injured in the shooting incident, he was dressed in what appears to be a hospital gown in the mugshot.

The incident remains under active investigation, police said, and no further information is available at this time.

Police reiterated that anyone who has any information that can aid investigators should please contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203, or via the anonymous tip line 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

Original story

West Hartford Police said one person was injured in connection with a shooting Wednesday afternoon, and a suspect has been arrested.

According to Capt. Peter Juda, police responded to the area of 134 Hillcrest Avenue at approximately 2:49 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, after receiving a report that shots had been fired.

Responders to the scene located an adult “who appeared to have suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds,” Juda said.

Medical aid was provided at the scene by both police and members of the West Hartford Fire Department, before the victim was transported to an area hospital.

A second adult was also located at the scene, and was arrested, police said. That individual has not been identified, and no information about the charges have been provided at this point.

A firearm was recovered at the scene, police said.

The West Hartford Police Department’s Detective Division is actively investigating the incident, Juda said. “At this time, it appears this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety,” he said.

Just after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, police had posted on the social media platform X that Hillcrest Avenue was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from Lynn Court to Abbotsford Avenue. The roadway has since reopened.

Both the post initially indicating the roadway was closed, and a later update, stated that there was “no threat to the public at this time.”

Active WHPD investigation on Hillcrest Ave. Hillcrest Ave is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from Lynn CT to Abbotsford Ave. No threat to the public at this time. pic.twitter.com/wrvLNaCCvF

— West Hartford Police (@WestHartfordPD) December 18, 2024

The investigation remains active and ongoing, police said, and no further information is available at this time.

Police ask anyone who has any information that can aid investigators to please contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203, or via the anonymous tip line 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

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