On May 25, 2022, 35-year-old Justin Spray was found with a gunshot wound in the side yard of a multi-unit boarding house on Edgefield Avenue in Milford, Connecticut. He was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital and died of his injuries. Witnesses at the scene detained a neighbor, 29-year-old Matthew Miner, who lived in the same building.

Witnesses and reported surveillance video describe Miner and Spray rough-housing outside about 20 minutes before the shooting. Witnesses said Miner, who was reportedly very intoxicated, accused Spray of losing his wallet after being tackled, then pulled a handgun and pistol-whipped Spray; a witness said Miner’s finger was on the trigger as he struck Spray and the gun discharged. Miner was arrested at the scene and charged with murder and multiple firearm offenses; he was held on $1 million bond.

Spray was remembered by family and friends as sweet, kind, and gentle, a Jonathan Law High School and Gateway Community College graduate who enjoyed karate, cooking, music, piano and organ, and building computers. Does anyone who knew Justin or saw the incident have information to share?