Jaden Jonathan Connor, a 17-year-old White male from Manchester, New Hampshire, was remembered as a quick-witted and athletic young man. Born and raised in the city, Jaden loved playing basketball and enjoyed writing rhymes and rapping. He was a loving father to his young daughter, as well as a cherished son, brother, and grandson who valued spending time with his family and friends.
His passing left a profound void in the lives of his many relatives and close companions.
On the night of July 14, 2020, at about 11:35 p.m., Manchester police responded to a report of a gunshot on Central Street, between Beech and Maple Streets. There, they found Jaden, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. An autopsy conducted by the New Hampshire Associate Medical Examiner later confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the trunk and ruled the manner of death a homicide. In the days that followed, friends and family created a memorial with candles and other mementos on the sidewalk near where he was slain.
The Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office launched an active investigation into the shooting, which they stated did not appear to be a random incident. Police Chief Carlo Capano said the shooting involved a robbery and a home invasion. The investigation led them to 21-year-old Isaiah Rivera-Perez, who was arrested in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. After waiving extradition, Rivera-Perez was brought back to New Hampshire and charged with second-degree murder for recklessly causing Jaden’s death.
According to court documents, the incident stemmed from a marijuana deal at Rivera-Perez’s home at 276 Central Street. Rivera-Perez told police that three armed individuals, including Jaden, entered his home, pistol-whipped him, and robbed him. He claimed he fired his gun to protect himself and his family. Investigators noted that Rivera-Perez had a head wound and injuries consistent with an assault. Prosecutors argued that his actions did not constitute self-defense, questioning whether deadly force could be used against a fleeing person.
At the conclusion of his trial, a jury found Isaiah Rivera-Perez not guilty of murder. Following the acquittal in March 2022, no one stands convicted for Jaden Connor's death. The case remains unsolved. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Manchester Police Department Detective Unit at (603) 668-8711.
