Executive Summary
- Hamden police arrested three suspects linked to the Jan. 17 killing of Keyvon Washington.
- The victim, identified by his mother, was ambushed while meeting someone on Mix Avenue.
- Police allege suspects fired multiple rounds at the vehicle before fleeing.
- Authorities are investigating a potential link to a separate shooting of a security guard hours earlier.
Hamden police have arrested three individuals in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Keyvon Washington, with command staff scheduled to provide a comprehensive update on the investigation Friday. Police Chief Page Reynolds confirmed the arrests during a police commission meeting on Wednesday, marking a significant development in the case stemming from the January 17, 2026, homicide.
The shooting took place on the morning of January 17 on Mix Avenue. According to Lt. Robert Manfield, a department spokesperson, the forthcoming briefing at police headquarters will outline details of the case and current “ongoing investigative efforts.” Manfield cautioned that certain specific information may remain restricted due to the active status of the inquiry.
While law enforcement officials have not formally released the victim’s name, the deceased was identified as Keyvon Washington by his mother, Keyna Washington. She confirmed his identity after receiving an automated crash notification from her vehicle, which the victim was driving at the time of the incident. She described her son as a FedEx employee and former Boy Scout.
Preliminary findings released by investigators indicate that the victim had traveled to the location to meet an acquaintance. Lt. Manfield stated that three suspects approached the vehicle, at which point one suspect entered the car and shot the victim. Authorities allege that all three suspects fired additional rounds at the vehicle while fleeing the scene.
Investigators are also examining a separate incident that occurred hours prior to the homicide, in which a security guard was wounded by gunfire while intervening in a fight at The District Studios on Treadwill Street. Police have not yet stated whether a definitive link exists between the two shootings.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigative Outlook
The apprehension of three suspects suggests investigators have secured significant corroborating evidence, though the continued classification of the investigation as “active” implies that the scope of the inquiry may still be expanding. The primary focus for law enforcement will likely shift toward establishing the specific motive behind the arranged meeting and determining if the suspects have connections to other recent violent incidents in the area. The forensic comparison of ballistics from the Mix Avenue homicide and the Treadwill Street shooting will be critical in determining if a broader pattern of criminal activity is involved.
