Hartford

Family Calls for Justice in Deadly Hartford Shooting

Family and friends of the victims of a deadly shooting in Hartford gathered at a prayer vigil Tuesday night.

The victims, Kevin Campbell and Joshua Steele, were shot outside of a house party on Hillside Avenue Sunday.

Campbell’s family was at the vigil and said he was a young man with a master’s degree who was a coach and a mentor, and should not have died this way.

“Kevin Omar Campbell didn’t choose or deserve to die on our streets like this,” said Campbell’s stepfather Lamont Quinitchett.

The Hartford community rallied around the family in prayer, and to make a demand for justice.

“I want to encourage anybody over here that knows anything about what happened to Kevin Campbell to come forward and show a level of compassion and love for this family,” said Rev. Henry Brown of Mothers United Against Violence.

Hartford police believe more than 100 people were at the party where 34-year-old Campbell and 28-year-old Steele were gunned down, but so far, no one is talking.

Mothers United Against Violence hosted the vigil, marking the capital city’s 17th and 18th homicides this year.

Friends of Campbell echoed the call for witnesses to speak up.

“If I have one message to them, it’s to have compassion for us, for people that need closure and not to be scared. Just speak up if there’s any information on why this happened,” said Rubbab Chaudhry.

Members of Campbell’s family are hoping his legacy as someone who tried to bring good into the world won’t be overshadowed by the tragic way he died. But as they try to move forward, one thing they need is justice.

“This is tragic. I hope that there would be some way that there would be some good coming out of what happened here,” Quinitchett said. “To the young man or men or person or persons who did this. Try to turn your life around and do something right for a change.”

Police said they don’t believe Campbell was the target of this shooting, and with so many people being at the party, someone must know something. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hartford police. Tips can remain anonymous.

Contact Us