On the evening of September 15, 2025, tragedy struck in Waterbury, Connecticut, when Frank Garay, a 29-year-old Black male from Hartford, was fatally shot. The incident occurred at approximately 7:48 p.m. in the vicinity of Charles and Third streets, where police responded to reports of gunfire. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Garay outside a local smoke shop, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the rapid response of emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The area on Charles Street was promptly secured by law enforcement as detectives from the Waterbury Police Department's Major Crimes Unit commenced their investigation into what was later classified as the city's sixth homicide of the year.
The investigation into Frank Garay's death led to a significant breakthrough on September 22, 2025, when authorities arrested 37-year-old Latroy Young of Hartford. Young was taken into custody without incident at the G Style Lounge on Main Street in Hartford by a team of Waterbury police and Connecticut State troopers. He faces serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. He was held on a $1,000,000 bond. It was later revealed that Young was on parole and wearing a GPS monitoring bracelet, which placed him at the scene of the crime.
In addition to the arrest of Latroy Young, the Waterbury police have identified a second suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of Frank Garay. An arrest warrant has been issued for Gerald Brown, also a resident of Hartford, who remains at large. The police have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the investigation is described as active and ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Gerald Brown's whereabouts to contact the Waterbury Police Detective Bureau or to leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers. Frank Garay, who was just days away from his 30th birthday, is remembered by his loved ones as his family navigates this difficult time.
