On the evening of October 17, 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the night in a Hamden, Connecticut neighborhood. Responding to reports of approximately 10 shots fired, police arrived at the 300 block of Goodrich Street around 8:45 p.m. to a grim scene. There, they discovered 28-year-old John Quincy Ratliff, a Black male, lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound.
A second victim, a 23-year-old Hamden resident, was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound to the arm.
Emergency services from the Hamden Fire Rescue provided immediate medical assistance to both men before rushing them to Yale New Haven Hospital. Despite their efforts, John Quincy Ratliff was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital. The second victim was treated for his injuries, which were not life-threatening. The incident was quickly classified as a homicide, prompting an intensive investigation by the Hamden Police Department's Detective Division.
In the days following the fatal shooting, authorities appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible. Detectives began the arduous process of interviewing witnesses and canvassing the area for evidence. However, details regarding a motive or potential suspects have not been released to the public. As of now, no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder of John Quincy Ratliff, and the investigation into his untimely death remains ongoing. The case continues to be an open and active investigation, leaving a community searching for answers and a family grieving a profound loss.
