Police investigate double homicide in Meriden

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -  Meriden police are looking for help from the public as they investigate a shooting that left two people dead near Crown and Olive Streets.

Anthony "AJ" Anderson, 25, and 30-year-old Melvin Silva-Pizarro were shot and killed  at the intersection of Olive and Crown Streets around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, marking Meriden's fourth and fifth homicides.

"He takes care of his kids," said Carey Foster, Anderson's aunt, "he's got three kids."

Foster sat at AJ's memorial site, which marks the place when police found him  and his friend with multiple gunshot wounds.

"This could be your family, your son, your husband, your nephew, your best friend, your husband, you kids," Foster said. "It needs to stop."

Meriden Police tell News 8, they're investigating, but AJ's friends say they don't believe it.

"They're gone. They're not even here," said Natasha Aguilar, victim's friend. "They're not questioning and doing what they're supposed to do."

"We've got plans in place," said Lt. Mark Walerysiak. "We'll be beefing up patrols in the area, adding additional manpower through grants and asset forfeiture, putting more guys on the street and having zero tolerance on any type of criminal violation."

Police say they don't remember the last time they had five homicides by mid-August.

"Last year we had zero and normally we average one to two at the most," Walerysiak said.

Paul Matthews hopes the violence stops, not just in this neighborhood, but all over the city. His son worked with AJ at Sonic and was devastated when he heard the news Wednesday morning.

"Things need to change," said Matthews. "It's not safe for anybody anymore."

Police and the victim's families are hoping someone will help them track down the shooter. Police say no weapons were found on the scene.

"We're getting nothing from no one at this point," said Walerysiak.

"Give some kind of information," said Foster. "It's private. You can let them know what's going on."

Anyone who may have information about what happened is asked to call police at 203-630-6297.