In the early hours of October 27, 2022, the quiet of a Bennington, Vermont street was broken by the sound of gunfire. Responding to reports, police discovered 39-year-old Ulysses Ivey, a Black/African American male, with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Ivey, a father who was known for his love of family, fishing, and drawing, had his life cut short in an act of violence that would soon draw the attention of multiple
law enforcement agencies.
The investigation into Ivey's death quickly focused on a suspect from out of state. Raul Cardona, a 28-year-old from Springfield, Massachusetts, was identified as the individual responsible for the fatal shooting. Evidence gathered by the Bennington Police Department and assisting agencies pointed to a dispute over money as the catalyst for the deadly encounter. Cardona was located and apprehended in his hometown of Springfield, where he was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Ulysses Ivey's death.
As the legal process began, further details of the night Ivey was killed started to emerge. It was revealed that Cardona was not alone in the events leading up to the shooting. His girlfriend was also implicated in the incident and was subsequently arrested. The extent of her involvement and the specific charges she faced added another layer to the unfolding story of a life tragically taken.
Following his arrest, Raul Cardona pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder and was held without bail. The case brought a renewed focus on the issue of gun violence within the Bennington community. The court proceedings against Cardona for the death of Ulysses Ivey are ongoing, as the justice system works to bring resolution to a case that has left a family grieving and a community seeking answers.
