In the morning hours of June 19, 2024, a violent encounter unfolded on Iranistan Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that would ultimately claim the life of 26-year-old Jevoun Rodney, a Black male resident of the city. Dispatches received a call around 9:15 a.m. reporting an assault with a firearm, with further information suggesting that multiple individuals were involved in a shootout.
When police arrived at the 1100 block of Iranistan Avenue, they found Rodney on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his forehead. He was transported to St. Vincent's Medical Center in critical condition.
For a week, Rodney fought for his life, but succumbed to his injuries on the afternoon of June 26, 2024. In the wake of his passing, friends and family gathered for a vigil on Iranistan Avenue to honor his memory. The Bridgeport Police Department publicly extended their condolences to Rodney's loved ones.
Shortly after the shooting on June 19, Bridgeport police apprehended a suspect, 45-year-old Hommy Rodriguez. A witness had reportedly photographed Rodriguez fleeing the scene with a gun in his hand. According to a police report, the witness stated that he and Rodney were walking on the sidewalk when they were confronted by Rodriguez, who was waving a gun and screaming. When Rodriguez was arrested, his T-shirt appeared to have the victim's blood on it.
Initially, Rodriguez was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a firearm. Following Rodney's death, the charges against Rodriguez were upgraded to murder. In a statement to detectives, Rodriguez claimed that he had been drinking and had smoked crack the night before the incident after his girlfriend broke up with him. He said he remembered finding a gun in a bag on the street but had no recollection of shooting anyone. Rodriguez is being held on a $1.5 million bond. On July 16, 2024, he was formally charged with murder in state Superior Court in Bridgeport. During this court appearance, Rodney's mother was present and became emotional as Rodriguez was brought into the courtroom. The case was continued to August 7, when Rodriguez will decide on a probable cause hearing.
