In the winter of 2021, the life of 17-year-old Ronde Ford, a Black / African American male, was tragically cut short. On the evening of February 17th, reports of gunshots drew New London police to the vicinity of Grand and Elm Street. There, they discovered the young man, a senior at New London High School, who had been fatally shot. Family members would later confirm his identity, plunging a community into mourning for the teenager known for his athletic abilities in youth football, basketball, and baseball.
The investigation into the death of Ronde Ford was a meticulous and collaborative effort between the New London Police Department's Investigation Services Division and the New London County States Attorney's Office. For months, detectives pieced together the events of that fateful night. Their diligent work culminated on Sunday, August 29, 2021, with the arrests of three men in connection with the killing.
The three individuals taken into custody were 24-year-old Justice Rodriguez and 20-year-old Mack Man, both of New London, and 21-year-old Franc Gjergjaj of East Lyme. While arrests were made, none of the men were immediately charged with murder or manslaughter. Instead, they faced a range of other serious felony charges.
Rodriguez was charged with criminal attempt of robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree, and accessory to assault in the first degree. Mann faced similar charges of criminal attempt of robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree, and accessory to assault in the first degree, with additional charges of tampering with evidence, violation of a protective order, and carrying a pistol without a permit. Gjergjaj was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, weapons in a vehicle, tampering with physical evidence, and interfering with an officer.
