In the winter of 2021, Marquis Calvin Winfrey, a 31-year-old Black / African American male, was looking forward to a fresh start. Having been released from prison the previous summer after serving time for a conspiracy to commit robbery conviction, he was focused on reconnecting with his six children and building a new life. Those who knew him described a man with an infectious personality and a contagious smile who loved to make people laugh and spend time with his family.
He had been a student at Housatonic Community College and was known for his quick wit. His family saw his potential and hoped for his future, a future that was tragically cut short on the afternoon of January 18, 2021.
On that Monday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the sound of gunfire echoed through the New Haven neighborhood along Dixwell Avenue, between Elizabeth and Cherry Ann Streets. The New Haven Police Department was alerted to the shooting through multiple 911 calls and a ShotSpotter activation. Shortly after the shots were fired, Marquis Calvin Winfrey arrived at Yale New Haven Hospital in a private vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In the wake of the shooting, New Haven and Hamden police secured the crime scene for several hours to conduct their investigation. Authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible, assuring that callers could remain anonymous. However, no suspects were immediately identified, and no arrests were announced in connection with the fatal shooting. The investigation into his death remained ongoing. Winfrey's family, while mourning their loss, expressed their desire for justice and called for community assistance in solving the case. They feared that his past might affect the level of public concern and urged for consistent outrage against all violent crime.
