HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Two teenagers were arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl in Hartford.
Se’Cret Pierce of Hartford died as a result of the shooting that injured three others in Hartford on April 20.
During the course of the investigation, police said they determined 18-year-old Jeremy Francis suffered a gunshot wound after exchanging fire with a suspect vehicle during the incident that left Se’Cret dead.
An arrest warrant was issued and he was released to the hospital.
“It was also determined that the 16-year-old victim who was struck by gunfire was on juvenile probation on firearms charges and was under house arrest at the time of the shooting,” police said in a press release Wednesday. “The minor was arrested and taken into custody.”
The younger teenager, identified as Shawn Linton, was charged with probation violation.
The two teenagers were identified in a court order. They were not specifically charged in the girl’s death.
Se’Cret was a student at Milner Middle School.
Mayor Luke Bronin addressed the community at 11 a.m. on April 21. He asked the other victims of the shooting to “share what they know.”
“One of those bullets, it was likely for them,” Bronin said.
Authorities said the shooting happened in Hartford on Huntington Street shortly after 8:40 p.m. on April 20.
Police said Se’Cret was found at the scene in a car with a gunshot wound to the head and abdomen and taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died on April 21 at 7 am.
“She was in a parked vehicle. There were three other men on the sidewalk who were hit, and she had nothing to do with it,” Hartford police said. “Very tragic, very unfortunate. Illness.”
Se’Cret was just 30 meters from what police said was an attack targeting two men and a teenager.
According to the warrant, Se’Cret told his family he was hanging out with a friend. That friend was dating 16-year-old Shawn Linton.
The warrant also said Se’Cret knew Linton, Francis and the third person who was shot, 23-year-old Travis Roberts.
Francis was found at the scene on the sidewalk. He suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.
Police said two other victims, Linton and Roberts, were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
They said they have surveillance video of the shooting that showed a car speeding down Huntington Street with someone firing shots from inside.
The warrant said a shooter was in the back seat of a dark-colored sedan, leaned in and fired.
Footage showed Francis falling to the ground and shooting.
Shots continued to be fired, according to the warrant.
Police said Francis reacted knowing Se’Cret was in the line of fire.
The superintendent, Dra. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez, said Milner had support for those who knew Se’Cret.
According to his family, Se’Cret was looking forward to celebrating his 13th birthday in June.
She was described as beautiful, capable and loved by her teachers and classmates.
“It’s a tragic, tragic time that we’re living in,” said Howard Fair, who lives in the area. “The way things are going, it’s unfortunate that he has to sacrifice himself because of all these things that are going on in our life.”
Bronin revealed that all three victims have extensive criminal histories.
Police believed the victims knew who shot them and expected full cooperation.
“While I’m sorry for the injuries they suffered last night and I hope they recover quickly and heal in every way, both physical and mental, I’m also asking them to share what they know. Because I think they know who’s going firing the bullets that killed a 12-year-old girl,” Bronin said.
“She was big on loyalty and love. She was the youngest of the bunch and her whole family loved her unconditionally,” Khaya Judkins, Se’Cret’s aunt, said in a GoFundMe statement.
Anyone who wants to support the family can do so CLICK HERE
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