The fatal shooting of 21-year-old Taylor Irizarry on Wednesday marks Hartford’s 21st homicide of the year, surpassing 2018’s total of 20. Irizarry, a New Britain resident, was shot in the back during the early-morning hours, police said. Irizarry was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The department’s ShotSpotter system alerted police of a single shot fired on Spring Street near I-84 and Union Station, but they did not receive a 911 call.
“It’s a very active investigation right now,” said Lt. Paul Cicero. “We’re trying to put the pieces together in regards to what exactly occurred. If we did not get the ShotSpotter activation, then we probably wouldn’t have found the individual until hours later when the sun came up or if someone located them.”
According to Hartford police, more than 70 percent of gunshots picked up by ShotSpotter in the city are not reported to police.
“That one gunshot wound was very traumatic and caused the death of the individual almost immediately,” Cicero said.
Sixteen of this year’s 21 homicides resulted from gunshot wounds. Cicero said shootings tend to drop in September after summer spikes, with some spurts in December.
