Teen faces charges in New Haven's 2nd homicide

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A 17-year-old boy is behind bars, and facing charges in New Haven's second homicide of the year.

The family of 29-year-old Lonni Star stood with New Haven's Police Chief who ordered an unprecedented show of force Wednesday night to track down Star's killer.
  
"This department brought back all its detectives, all its task force members and everyone worked through the night," said Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven PD.

Around 6:30 Wednesday night, a woman drove the wounded Star to a Dunkin Donuts on Blake Street and called 911. He later died of a gunshot wound.

All those dozens of detectives and task force members called back to work by the chief then blanketed the neighborhood. They figured out Star was shot near the corner of Level and Lodge streets, then zeroed in on a suspect at his home.

"We obtained two search warrants. One was for 41 Lodge Street," said Asst. Chief Archie Generoso, New Haven PD. "We executed those warrants, we apprehended an individual. We cannot release his name. He is 17 years old."

A 55-year-old store owner was shot and killed just a day before in what police believe was a robbery. With two homicides in two days, Chief Esserman says he called all those detectives away from their families to find justice for the family of Lonni Star.

"This department will be relentless as we speak for the conscience of this community. This violence will not be tolerated," said Chief Esserman.

Police cannot release a name or mug shot for the suspect because he is only 17. They can say they found a gun in his house. A spokesman for the department said the kind of mobilization they saw Wednesday night is unprecedented, but it will become normal if this level of violence continues.