Yakpawolo Amos Kollie, a 56-year-old Black / African American male, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, in Hartford, Connecticut. Born in Liberia on January 1, 1968, he had built a life in the United States after immigrating in 2004 and settling in Hartford. Known affectionately as "Kollie," he was a skilled mechanic who ran his own automotive service business, helping many clients throughout the Hartford area.
On the evening of September 13, at approximately 7:37 p.m., Hartford
police were dispatched to 1072 Capitol Avenue after a resident reported a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a man, later identified as Kollie, with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was the 14th homicide of the year in Hartford.
He was remembered as an easy-going man who loved to make jokes and wanted everyone around him to be happy. In his spare time, he enjoyed listening to music, drawing, and spending time with his seven children and four grandchildren. He maintained strong ties to his Liberian roots, with a particular love for the country's food.
An investigation by the Hartford Police Department led to the arrest of 18-year-old Kaylon Williams of Hartford. On July 30, 2025, while already incarcerated on other charges, Williams was charged with felony murder, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, third-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny in connection with Kollie's death.
