On the evening of September 1, 2019, in Hartford, Connecticut, 17-year-old Usher Hanns was caught in a burst of gunfire on Edgewood Street. ShotSpotter detected at least 12 rounds; Hanns was struck in the head and taken to St. Francis Hospital. He died of his injuries three days later on September 4, 2019. Four other people suffered non-life-threatening wounds in the same incident.

Hanns was a student at Weaver High School and participated in Hartford’s Proud Drill Drum and Dance Corporation. Family and friends described him as joyful, loving, and funny with an infectious smile. Investigators say at least three people in a car opened fire into a large crowd, and the shooting was believed to be connected to retaliatory acts between groups of teenagers. Police identified several suspects and announced arrests in July 2020 and September 2020, including two who had been in custody since October 2019.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or knew Usher’s movements that night, please share information that could help complete the picture.