In the early morning hours of a Saturday in Waterbury, Connecticut, a vibrant life was tragically cut short. Sebastian Olavarria, a 28-year-old Hispanic male, was shot and killed on August 13, 2022. The incident unfolded around 1:40 a.m. outside of Mikey's Jamaican Restaurant on East Main Street, where Olavarria was found lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Olavarria was a graduate of Crosby High School's Class of 2012 and was studying criminal justice at Naugatuck Valley Community College. He worked as a warehouse distributor for BJ's Wholesalers. He was remembered for his outgoing personality and his infectious smile. A devoted family man, he was happiest when spending time with his children and his fiancée. He was also an avid New York Yankees fan and had a passion for dancing.
The investigation into Olavarria’s death quickly led to a suspect. Michael Anderson, the 61-year-old owner of the restaurant where the shooting occurred, was identified as the alleged shooter. Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation had taken place between Olavarria and Anderson outside the establishment. During this dispute, Anderson allegedly drew a firearm and shot Olavarria.
Following the incident, Michael Anderson was taken into custody by the Waterbury Police Department. He was charged with murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Anderson was held on a $2 million bond. Nearly three years after the fatal shooting, Anderson's murder trial was scheduled to begin, with jury selection commencing in June 2025. His defense attorney has indicated they will argue that Anderson acted in self-defense. Anderson, a former police officer in Jamaica with no prior criminal record in Connecticut, had a valid pistol permit at the time of the incident. Reports suggest a history of conflict between Anderson and Olavarria, who were tenants in the same building. The trial is expected to include surveillance footage from the restaurant as key evidence.
