An 18-year-old charged in the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy last year has pleaded not guilty, records show.
Tyquam Malone, formerly of Zion Street in Hartford, appeared in Hartford GA-14 Superior Court Wednesday morning with his public defender.
Malone is charged with second-degree murder and robbery in connection with the deaths of 3-year-old Randell Jones, who was shot while sitting in the back seat of his mother Solmary Cruz’s parked car near Nelson Street and Garden Street on April 10. , 2021, according to police and court records.
Malone was arraigned Wednesday from the Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire, where he has been held since his arrest; he is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail, records show. Malone was 16 at the time of the crimes, but was charged as an adult. He turned 18 earlier this month, according to Connecticut Department of Corrections and court records.
Malone appeared before the judge in a brown prison uniform, remained handcuffed during the hearing and did not speak. His case was continued until next month.
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Warrants issued after the shooting allege that Malone was one of three people inside a black Honda Accord that pulled up next to Cruz’s car and opened fire on Randell’s uncle.
Ten bullets were fired into Cruz’s vehicle, the bullets missing Randell’s uncle and striking Randell in the arm and torso. Randell, who was sitting next to his 4- and 5-year-old sisters, was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital by his mother where he later died, according to court documents.
[ Man charged in 2021 drive-by shooting death of 3-year-old in Hartford; bond remains at $2.5 million ]
Surveillance footage obtained by police showed a black Honda Accord driving by Cruz’s car. The rear driver’s side passenger turned his head and looked directly at the front seat passenger of Cruz’s vehicle. The shooter pulls out a firearm, points it directly at Randell’s uncle and fires numerous times, according to police. The Honda fled the scene after the shooting.
The vehicle was found abandoned later that evening in the area of Grace Street. Police said the parking lot where the vehicle was found is known to be a stolen vehicle dump, according to the warrant affidavit.
Jaziah Smith, 21, is also charged in Randell’s death. He faces a murder charge and is also being held at the Manson Youth Institution in lieu of $2.5 million bail, according to DOC and court records.
Malone’s family appeared in court and spoke briefly with attorney Damian Tucker before solemnly leaving the courtroom. When asked for comment, the family declined to speak.
Judge Kevin Doyle ordered Malone to appear in court on August 24. The court will select new counsel to represent Malone at that date.
