In the quiet Cedar Hill neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut, the evening of November 17, 2020, was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 24-year-old Tylee Markael Bellamy. Emergency services received 911 calls around 8:10 p.m. reporting a person had been shot on Grace Street. Upon arrival, police and fire units discovered Bellamy at a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics rushed him to Yale New Haven Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The incident marked the city's 20th homicide of the year.
Tylee, known to friends and family as "Ty," was remembered as a kindhearted and caring individual with an energetic spirit who was a beloved son, brother, and a devoted father to four children. His childhood in New Haven was filled with an infectious energy, and he was known for being a protective older brother. As a young adult, he cherished being a father and spending quality time with his children. His family described him as someone who loved to laugh and joke, often sharing humorous moments with his mother.
For more than two years, the case of Bellamy's death remained unsolved, leaving his family searching for answers and justice. In June 2023, a breakthrough was announced by the New Haven Police Department. A 25-year-old Hartford man, Jonathan Frater, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with Bellamy's death. At the time of his arrest, Frater was already incarcerated for an unrelated case.
Authorities believe that the motive for the fatal shooting was robbery, during which a firearm was stolen from Bellamy. The arrest brought a measure of relief to Bellamy's grieving family, though his mother and grandmother made emotional pleas for an end to the violence that has taken the lives of so many young people in their community. Bellamy's grandmother shared the immense pain of losing a second grandson to gun violence, in addition to a son. The family continues to mourn the loss of a young man who they say had a young heart with an old soul.
