NEW HAVEN—The city’s seven homicides victims this year ranged in age from 14 to 52.
The youngest victim, Tyrick Keyes, was fatally shot in July. His death sparked public outcry and a partnership from local clergy to end violence in the city. The department is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. None has been made.
One one arrest has been made in connection with the homicides. The seven homicides is a decrease from 2016, when there were 13. These are the people who lost their lives to violence in 2017, compiled from news accounts, family members and obituaries:
Abraham “Charlie” Rodriguez , 45, died Jan. 25, after being shot several times the previous weekend in the Hill neighborhood. He was found by police officers near the grass along Arthur Street near Lamberton Street. Rodriguez was a maintenance person for AffinEco Maintenance Solutions of Bridgeport and is survived by three daughters.
Sherri Ruffin , 52, died May 5. She was found in her Brookside home on Jennings Way, where it was later determined she had been strangled. Ruffin was a former employee of the state Department of Public Works and is survived by a daughter. Police say the homicide appears to be domestic related.
Norman “JR” Boone, 27, was shot and killed near Dickerman Street on May 27. The city’s ShotSpotter system and callers alerted police to the shooting, and officers then found two adult men shot at the scene. Boone was a New Haven native and is survived by two children.
Joshua Rivera , 27, died June 2 after being shot while he played video games inside his home at 128 Greenwood St., an apparent victim of random gunfire. Rivera was found inside his home sitting in a living room chair with a gunshot wound. He was survived by two brothers and friends who called him, “a gentle giant.”
Tyrick Keyes, 14 , was shot on Bassett Street near Newhall Street and died four days later on July 20. The city’s youngest homicide victim, Keyes enjoyed playing basketball and football, according to his mother, Demethra Telford. Police believe Keyes was targeted. Police in October announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Keith Wylie, 51, died Oct. 7 after being stabbed on Congress Avenue. A man believed to be connected to the stabbing was later arrested and charged with manslaughter. Wylie served in the U.S. Navy and worked more than 10 years as a mail handler in the New Haven Postal Service and more than 20 years as a volunteer with Pop Smith Little League. Wylie is survived by six children.
Norris Winfrey , 28, died Oct. 23 near Richard Street after being shot. Winfrey was found by a patrol officer who heard the gunshots. Winfrey is survived by one child and six siblings.