On the night of January 26, 2025, 20-year-old Johnny Rodriguez was fatally shot in Hartford. ShotSpotter detected gunfire near 1901 Broad Street just before 11 p.m.; officers found evidence of a shooting there but no victim. A short time later a dispatcher reported a shooting victim at Essex Street and Retreat Avenue. Someone appears to have been trying to drive Rodriguez to the hospital when they were intercepted. He was taken to Hartford Hospital and pronounced dead.

Police say video shows a large group of males fighting when one person produced a firearm; that footage has not been released and no arrests or publicly identified suspects have been announced. Rodriguez, born September 16, 2004, was remembered as a loving son and brother who enjoyed music, video games, and cooking, and who had a contagious laugh and affectionate smile.

Did anyone in the Hartford area see activity near Broad Street or Essex and Retreat that night, or does anyone have information about the people shown in the video?