SWAT Clears Buildings During Search for Hartford Homicide Suspect

A SWAT team with guns drawn evacuated buildings on New Park Avenue in Hartford while they searched for the person who gunned down a 32-year-old man on Thursday evening.

Investigators at first believed the suspect might have run into a home or grocery store near the shooting scene at 371 New Park Avenue, so they cleared the area as part of their search, according to department spokesman Deputy Chief Brian Foley.

"This is a busy street at 5:30 p.m. in broad daylight, and we're hoping somebody saw something," Foley said.

They're questioning a woman whose role in the shooting is unclear. She has not been named a suspect and no charges have been filed.

Police have identified the victim as Daniel Sampel, 32-year-old of Hartford, who they believe might have been targeted. He died at the hospital.

Investigators hope surveillance footage from nearby street cameras and businesses can provide clues as to what happened.

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