Richard Rowell Jr. was a kind and respectful young man with a smile that could warm a heart and break any tension. At 18 years old, the New London, Connecticut, native had just reached a significant milestone, graduating from New London High School in June 2026. He immediately began working full-time alongside his father, Richard Rowell Sr. His family, with whom he lived, included his parents, three sisters, and his grandmother.
His father remembers him as a "good kid" who was loved by everyone he came across and returned that love "like a mirror." Friends of the teenager flocked to the family home after his death, grieving the sudden and violent loss of a young man just starting his adult life.
The promise of Richard's future was cut short on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Just after noon, at approximately 12:04 p.m., residents of the Garfield Avenue Apartments in New London were startled by the sound of rapid gunshots. Police received 911 calls reporting shots fired and a possible victim at 153 Garfield Avenue. Officers swarmed the parking lot of the residential complex, where they found Richard inside a silver BMW, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics rushed him to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would later determine his death was a homicide caused by gunshot wounds to the head, torso, and extremities.
The New London Police Department immediately secured the scene, shutting down Garfield Avenue as they began their investigation. Given the brazen nature of the midday shooting, a multi-agency task force was quickly assembled, bringing in the New London Judicial District State's Attorney's Office and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit – Eastern District to assist New London detectives. Investigators used a mobile command van and drones to map the complex, searching for evidence and potential escape routes. Police stated early on that the shooting did not appear to be a random act, but rather a targeted attack. The silver BMW was a central focus of the forensic investigation.
In the days following the shooting, no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were made. The profound grief of Richard's family was shared with the community. His father, emotional and heartbroken, visited the site where his son was killed and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward. "We don't want no domino effect," he said. "We want it to stop now.” New London Mayor Michael Passero offered condolences to the family, stating, "This tragedy has deeply affected our community." State Representative Anthony Nolan also issued a statement, warning that the city could not become numb to such violence.
To help the grieving family with funeral and burial costs, a GoFundMe campaign was organized. The organizer wrote, "There are no words that can take away this family's pain or bring his son back, but together, we can remind him that he does not have to face this difficult journey alone." A celebration of Richard's life was held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Walk of Faith Word Center in nearby Groton.
As of the latest available reports in October 2026, the investigation into the murder of Richard Rowell Jr. remains active and ongoing. Detectives have been reviewing residential and commercial surveillance footage in their search for the person or people responsible. No motive for the shooting has been released. The case remains unsolved, leaving a family and community waiting for answers and for justice for a young man whose life was just beginning.
Police urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the New London Police Department's Detective Bureau at 860-447-1481. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by texting NLPDTip along with the information to Tip411 (847411).
