On November 22, 2024, a 16-year-old student at Riverside Education Academy was fatally shot near the intersection of Goffe and Hudson Streets in New Haven, Connecticut. The incident occurred around 2:37 p.m., coinciding with the dismissal time of nearby schools. The victim, who has been identified but whose name is being withheld for privacy purposes, was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
During the shooting, approximately eight to ten rounds were fired, one of which struck a school bus carrying students from Celentano Biotech, Health and Medical Magnet School. The bus driver acted swiftly, instructing the students to get on the floor to avoid potential harm. After ensuring the students’ safety, the driver drove several blocks away to a secure location on Sherman Avenue before contacting the police. Another school bus was dispatched to transport the children to Wexler-Grant Community School, reuniting them with their families.
New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson stated during a Friday news conference that evidence from video footage suggests the shooting was a targeted act.
In the aftermath, police detained a 16-year-old found carrying a ghost gun with an extended magazine. Authorities clarified that this individual is not considered a suspect in the shooting death. A vehicle connected to the homicide was also recovered, and police have increased patrols around James Hillhouse High School and the Reggie Mayo Early Learning Center to ensure student safety.
The One In Five Foundation For Kids, formerly the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The organization has also deployed volunteer patrols in the Hillhouse High School neighborhood to prevent further incidents.
The scheduled football game between Hillhouse and East Haven High School was postponed due to the shooting. New Haven Public Schools are providing counseling support to affected students and staff.
This incident marks the city’s eleventh fatal shooting in 2024, a decrease from the 23 fatal shootings recorded in 2023. On the same day, a separate, unrelated shooting occurred in New Haven, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.
Community leaders are calling for enhanced intervention programs and stricter gun control measures. The presence of ghost guns—untraceable firearms assembled from kits—has raised significant concerns. Connecticut has implemented laws to curb their proliferation, but enforcement challenges persist.
Local organizations are collaborating with law enforcement to address the root causes of youth violence, focusing on education, employment opportunities, and community engagement to deter young individuals from joining gangs or engaging in violent activities.