On the evening of July 24, 2021, Douglas Daniels Jr., a 37-year-old Black / African American male from New Haven, Connecticut, was fatally shot in Waterbury. The incident occurred near the intersection of East Farm and Orange Streets around 8:15 p.m. Daniels was found with gunshot wounds to his shoulder and chest and was transported to St. Mary's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two other individuals also sustained gunshot injuries during the event; one was shot in the leg, and another suffered a head wound.
The shooting took place shortly after a rap concert at the Off The Hook Lounge on East Farm Street. Investigations revealed that the shots were fired from a vehicle. Surveillance footage from the area showed Reginald Miles Jr., 31, and Andre Reed, 29, leaving the venue in an SUV. Witnesses reported that multiple shots were fired from this vehicle, striking Daniels and the other two victims. According to witness testimony, there did not appear to be any altercation or argument between the parties involved prior to the shooting.
In early August 2021, Andre Reed was apprehended and charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of first-degree assault. He was held on a $2 million bond. Reginald Miles Jr. was identified as the other suspect and was arrested later in August 2021. He faced a multitude of charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, assault, and several firearm-related offenses, with his bond set at $3 million.
Andre Reed later accepted a plea deal in May 2023, pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder. His sentence was 20 years in prison, suspended after serving nine and a half years, to be followed by five years of probation. The trial for Reginald Miles Jr. took place in October 2025. During the trial, witnesses testified that after leaving the concert, Reed, who was driving, pointed out an individual, after which Miles allegedly fired multiple shots from the back seat. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, and the judge declared a mistrial.
