In the early morning hours of a Sunday in October 2020, the sense of peace in a Meriden, Connecticut neighborhood was shattered by the sound of possible gunshots. Police were called to the area of 190 Grove St. after reports of gunfire and two cars speeding away from the scene. However, upon their initial arrival, officers could not find any evidence to corroborate the reports, and the quiet of the morning temporarily returned.
Later that same morning, after the sun had risen, a grim
discovery was made on nearby Foster Court. The body of a Caucasian male, identified as 34-year-old Casey Eric Schoonover of Meriden, was found. It was apparent that he had been shot, and the cause of death was later confirmed to be from gunshot wounds. Meriden police immediately launched a homicide investigation, stating that they did not believe the killing was a random act of violence.
The investigation quickly led detectives to identify a suspect: Davis Omar Roman Villanueva. A warrant was secured for his arrest, but Villanueva had already fled the state, seeking refuge in Puerto Rico. His time as a fugitive was short-lived. On October 18, 2020, a coordinated effort between U.S. Marshals and the Aguadilla Police Department in Puerto Rico resulted in his capture. By December of that year, Villanueva had been extradited back to Meriden to face justice.
In March 2023, a jury found Davis Omar Roman Villanueva guilty of murder and carrying a pistol without a permit in connection with Schoonover's death. He was also convicted of criminal possession of a firearm. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Schoonover had died within minutes of being shot by Villanueva. On July 11, 2023, Villanueva was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Casey Schoonover.
