In the pre-dawn hours of May 21, 2023, the life of 20-year-old Jonathan Semidey Jr. was tragically cut short. The young man, a resident of New Britain, was in the parking lot of the Hidden Hookah Lounge on South Main Street in Middletown as the establishment was closing for the night. At approximately 3:49 a.m., chaos erupted as multiple gunshots rang out, shattering the early morning quiet.
When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Semidey lying in the parking lot, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers immediately began life-saving measures until medical personnel could take over. Semidey was rushed by ambulance to Middlesex Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced deceased. Investigators at the scene found evidence that numerous rounds had been fired, suggesting a chaotic and violent encounter. Despite the belief that many people were present in the parking lot at the time of the shooting, witnesses were not immediately forthcoming, leaving police with a complex investigation ahead. The lounge, which had been the subject of numerous police calls in the past, closed permanently following the incident.
The Middletown Police Department's Major Investigations Unit launched a relentless and thorough investigation that would span several months. Detectives pieced together evidence, eventually determining that multiple shooters and various weapons were involved in the homicide. The investigation suggested an ongoing feud may have existed between Semidey and some of the individuals who were later charged. By September 2023, the first wave of arrests was made. Akeil Booker, Gene Daniels, and Gianni Marmol were all charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Additionally, a woman, Mayraines Nunez, was arrested and charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
The investigation did not end there. Detectives continued to pursue every lead to ensure all responsible parties were brought to justice. In August 2024, more than a year after the shooting, a final arrest was made. Chauncey Wilson of Hartford was taken into custody and also charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Court records show that the men charged in the killing have entered not guilty pleas, and their cases are pending in state Superior Court.
