New Haven Police: Arrests in 4 of 5 Shootings in 2026, Warrants for More

New Haven Police Report Arrests in 4 of 5 Shootings in 2026

Acting New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli and Mayor Justin Elicker announced March 11, 2026, that investigators have made arrests in four of the five non-fatal shootings recorded in the city so far this year, with detectives described as "closing in on a suspect" in the fifth case.

The briefing, held at New Haven City Hall, highlighted several recent enforcement actions including cases in which all suspects or arrestees are minors — and introduced new plans to expand school resource officers into middle schools as part of the department's response to juvenile involvement in gun violence.

Grand Avenue Restaurant Shooting: Two Suspects Charged

On February 28, 2026, at approximately 5:33 p.m., a 22-year-old man from East Haven was shot in the leg at a restaurant on the 200 block of Grand Avenue in New Haven. Naquea Bratton, a New Haven resident, was arrested at the scene after officers found him in possession of a high-capacity magazine. A 17-year-old was also charged in connection with the shooting; police say the teen allegedly shot the East Haven victim and was himself shot during a struggle. A second juvenile's warrant remains outstanding.

Whalley Avenue Shooting: 13-Year-Old Charged

On February 10, 2026, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg on Whalley Avenue. A 13-year-old has been charged in connection with that shooting — the youngest suspect named in this year's gun violence cases.

James Street Party Shooting: Suspect Sought by U.S. Marshals

On February 15, two 20-year-olds were shot following a party on James Street. A 16-year-old is being sought by New Haven investigators and U.S. Marshals in connection with that shooting. No arrest has been made in this case.

December 2025 Shooting: Warrant for Jermaine Smalls

A warrant has been issued for Jermaine Smalls, 45, of New Haven, in connection with a December 21, 2025 shooting in which a 22-year-old West Haven man was shot in the area of Miller Street and Judson Street in New Haven. The victim walked into Yale-New Haven Hospital shortly after the shooting. The warrant was developed by Detective Jeremy Cordero and remains outstanding as of March 11.

2026 Gun Violence Overview

Zannelli provided a broader picture of gun-related activity in New Haven through the early weeks of 2026:

• 5 non-fatal shootings
• 20 shots-fired calls
• 0 homicides
• 25 total gun-related incidents

Over the same period in 2025, New Haven recorded 18 gun-related incidents — meaning the 2026 pace is slightly elevated, though Zannelli noted the department's arrest rate in shooting cases is high.

The briefing also noted two stabbings under investigation during the preceding week: one on Chapel Street near downtown and one early on Wednesday morning on Hazel Street.

Juvenile Crime Response: Middle School Resource Officers Planned

With three of the four arrests involving juveniles — including one 13-year-old — Mayor Elicker and Chief Zannelli announced plans to expand the school resource officer program into New Haven middle schools, covering grades 6 through 8. The goal, they said, is to provide "consequences, services and support" before adolescent conflicts escalate to gun violence.

The move reflects a broader shift in New Haven's public safety strategy as the city grapples with youth involvement on both sides of violent crime — as victims and perpetrators.

Regional Investigations

Two of the five cases highlighted in the briefing involve victims from outside New Haven — a West Haven resident shot in December and an East Haven resident shot in February. The involvement of out-of-town victims in New Haven crimes is not unusual given the city's central role in the region, but it adds complexity to investigations and underscores the cross-jurisdictional nature of much of the area's violent crime.

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