In the spring of 2025, the life of Clifford Capehart, a 49-year-old Black / African American man from New Haven, Connecticut, was abruptly cut short. On the evening of April 7th, tragedy unfolded at the intersection of Goffe and Winter streets. Responding to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots shortly before 10 p.m., New Haven police officers arrived to a grim scene. They discovered two men lying in the street with unresponsive gunshot wounds.
One of these men was Clifford Capehart, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, 39-year-old Keron Troutman of Hamden, was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities indicated that Capehart and Troutman were friends. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police began to piece together the events that led to the double homicide. Investigators suggested that the incident may have been a robbery or a "drug deal gone bad," citing the discovery of some drug-related evidence at the location. It was also noted by police that neither Capehart nor Troutman were armed, leading them to believe at least one shooter was still at large. As of the days following the incident, no arrests had been made, and no suspects had been publicly identified. The investigation remained ongoing, with police appealing to the community for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of the two men.
Those who knew Clifford Capehart, affectionately called "Babalou," remembered him as a man with a radiant smile and an uplifting presence. A graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, he was known for his impeccable sense of style and his passions for music, dancing, and cooking from scratch. Family was his greatest treasure, and he was a devoted brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. In the wake of his violent death, friends and family mourned the loss of a man described as a "pillar of the community" who was always just a phone call away for his loved ones. His sudden passing left a void in the hearts of many, a stark contrast to the joy and kindness he brought to every room he entered.
