Makhi Mazon

Makhi Mazon was a 17-year-old Black / African American teenager from Waterbury, Connecticut. Born on July 11, 2006, he was a student at the Waterbury Enlightenment School. His family remembered him as an avid sports enthusiast with a particular passion for basketball. He also loved playing video games and spending time with his friends and family. At the time of his death, Makhi had a young daughter who would grow up never knowing her father. "Makhi wasn't just a name in a case," his sister later said in court. "He was a son, a brother, a friend. He had dreams in a future that was taken away from him."

On the evening of July 31, 2023, Makhi was with another teenager on Newport Drive in his hometown of Waterbury when shots were fired around 8 p.m. Police arrived to find Makhi suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest. He was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford as his condition worsened. For over a week, doctors fought to save his life, but he succumbed to his injuries on August 8, 2023.

The investigation into the shooting led police to identify three suspects. On August 10, authorities arrested James Davis of Bridgeport. Days later, Ronald Scott of Waterbury was also charged; he was already in custody on an unrelated matter. A third man, John Birdsall of Waterbury, was also charged in connection with Makhi's death.

According to the Waterbury State's Attorney, the three men were driving together on the night of the shooting, actively "looking for people to shoot." Shortly before encountering Makhi, they had fired at a car containing four other juveniles, causing the driver to crash. Though those teens suffered only minor injuries from the crash, the men continued driving. They then spotted Makhi and his friend, and someone in the car decided the two looked "suspicious" and might have been connected to a past grievance. They opened fire, striking Makhi.

The three men faced serious charges, including murder and conspiracy. The cases against two of the men have since been resolved. Ronald Scott, 29, pleaded guilty to accessory to murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. As his family members told the court they were serving a "life sentence of grief," they urged a tougher punishment, but the judge imposed the previously agreed-upon sentence. James Davis also pleaded guilty to reduced charges and is awaiting sentencing. The case against John Birdsall is still proceeding through the court system.