25-Year-Old Woman Shot and Killed on Porch in New Haven

A 25-year-old New Haven mother was shot and killed while sitting on her front porch early Tuesday morning.

Police responded to 848 Congress Avenue at 4:03 a.m. to investigate a shooting and found Francesca Ratchford, who neighbors call "La La."

She'd been shot several times and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said she lived in an apartment at the Congress Street resident where the shooting happened.

Neighbors said she was the mother of a young son and they have no idea why anyone would have killed her.

Witnesses told investigators that a young man with dreadlocks and no shirt might be involved in the shooting. 

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that could help in the investigation to call detectives at 203-946-6304.

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