Monsi Chioke Jones Jr., known affectionately to his loved ones as "CJ" and "Pudge," was a talented and family-oriented young man whose life was cut short at the age of 24. Born on December 29, 2001, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Chanda Easterling and Monsi Chioke Jones Sr., CJ was remembered for bringing joy, energy, and love to everyone who knew him. He was a graduate of Achievement First High School in Hartford and went on to attend Albertus Magnus College in New Haven.
During his youth, he was an active football player for organizations including the Wildcats, the Knights, and the Hartford Hurricanes. His interests were diverse and included dancing, rapping, singing, and playing basketball and PlayStation 5. Above all, CJ was a devoted family man who treasured the deep bonds he shared with his parents, siblings, grandparents, and a wide circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
On the night of Saturday, September 26, 2026, the life of this beloved young man came to a violent end. At approximately 10:08 p.m., officers from the East Hartford Police Department were dispatched to a residence at 39 Garden Street after receiving a report of a person shot. Inside the home, they found Monsi alone, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police officers immediately began performing lifesaving measures, which were continued by firefighters when they arrived at the scene.
Monsi was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead. The shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood, and authorities were quick to assure the public that they believed it was an isolated incident and that there was no immediate threat to the community.
The East Hartford Police Department launched an active and ongoing homicide investigation into Monsi's death. Detectives began working to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter. Investigators publicly stated that there was no evidence to suggest the shooting was an act of domestic violence. However, key questions about what happened inside the Garden Street home remained unanswered. Authorities have not publicly disclosed who, if anyone, was with Monsi before the shooting or what the motive might have been.
As of October 2026, no suspects had been publicly identified, and no arrests had been announced in connection with the murder of Monsi Chioke Jones Jr. His death left his family and community devastated, mourning the loss of a young man with a bright future. He was predeceased by his great-grandfather, an uncle, and a cousin, and is survived by his parents, siblings Rieley Monae Leggett, Yamiyah Miller, and Aliana Jones, his grandparents, a great-grandmother, and many other relatives and close friends who will forever cherish his memory.
The investigation into Monsi's homicide remains open. The East Hartford Police Department continues to seek information from the public that could lead to an arrest and bring justice to his family. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the East Hartford Police Department tip line at (860) 289-9134.
