On a Sunday morning, May 16, 2021, a 25-year-old Black / African American male named Tylon Hardy was killed in a shooting in Middletown, Connecticut. The incident, which also left a 17-year-old wounded, took place in the area of Highlands Crescent and Stirling Court following an altercation that escalated to gunfire. Emergency medical personnel and police officers attempted to revive Hardy at the scene, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Hardy, a former student of Middletown High School, was known as a rap artist with the moniker "MB Live." His family acknowledged his struggles with street life and mentioned that he had even relocated to Vermont for a time to escape its influence.
The investigation into the homicide led authorities to identify 20-year-old Matthew O'Banner as the primary suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest on charges including murder, first-degree assault, and various firearm offenses. O'Banner fled to New Jersey, but was located and apprehended by U.S. Marshals in collaboration with Middletown detectives. He was then extradited back to Connecticut to face the charges and was held on a $2 million bond.
Several other individuals were arrested in connection with the case for their alleged roles in the incident and its aftermath. O'Banner's mother, 54-year-old Michelle Sanders, was charged with hindering the investigation, tampering with evidence, and interfering with officers. His 21-year-old girlfriend, Alexandra Vazquez, was also taken into custody for allegedly interfering with the investigation. Another man, 21-year-old Nahkyn Durazzo, who police said was present for and involved in the shooting, was arrested and charged with violation of probation. A fifth person, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was also arrested on a warrant for charges including criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.
