In the quiet evening of January 30, 2024, what first appeared to be a simple car crash in the parking lot of Bertie's Restaurant on North Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut, quickly unfolded into a grim tale of violence. First responders arrived at the scene around 7:49 p.m. to find a vehicle that had erratically traveled through the lot and the backyard of a nearby home, striking several objects before coming to a final, jarring stop.
The driver, Keno Williams, a 38-year-old man originally from St. James, Jamaica, was discovered inside, not just injured from the crash, but the victim of a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Williams was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital in critical condition, where he fought for his life for a week. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries on February 6, 2024, and the police investigation pivoted from an assault to a homicide. Investigators worked quickly and were able to identify a suspect known to Williams. On February 3, just days after the shooting, police took 18-year-old Angela Bodden-Mitchell into custody. She was initially charged with criminal attempt at murder, first-degree criminal attempt at robbery, and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, and was held on a $2.5 million bond.
As the investigation continued, a second suspect emerged. Police identified 17-year-old Desire Aitken as the alleged shooter in what prosecutors described as a plan to rob Williams of marijuana. While Aitken remained elusive, the case against her accomplice moved forward. Angela Bodden-Mitchell, who had just turned 18 days before the fatal robbery, eventually pleaded guilty to a charge of murder in the commission of a felony. Acknowledging her troubled upbringing but emphasizing her responsibility in the events that led to a man's death, a judge sentenced her to 27 years in prison.
The search for the second suspect, Desire Aitken, continues. She is wanted on an active arrest warrant with a string of serious charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Authorities have indicated that Aitken is expected to be charged and tried as an adult once she is located and taken into custody, leaving the final chapter of this tragic story to be written.
