On a late morning in Hartford, Connecticut, the life of 21-year-old Hispanic male, Alexis Raymond Ortiz, was brought to an abrupt and violent end. It was approximately 11:04 a.m. on September 18, 2020, when the sound of gunfire echoed through the area of 267 Fairfield Avenue. The city's ShotSpotter system registered multiple activations, alerting law enforcement to the unfolding tragedy.
An officer who was in the vicinity heading to a private duty assignment also heard the shots and was the first to respond to the scene.
Upon her arrival, the officer discovered Ortiz lying on the ground next to a multi-family home, suffering from several gunshot wounds. A resident in the area had spotted him and directed the officer to his location. The officer observed at least one potential suspect fleeing into the residence at 267 Fairfield Avenue. Recognizing the immediate danger and the severity of Ortiz's injuries, she moved him to a safer position and began administering first aid, including oxygen and chest compressions, while maintaining communication with dispatch. With the help of several residents, Ortiz was carried to an awaiting ambulance. He was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Hartford Police Department's Emergency Response Team secured the scene and cleared the address where the suspect was believed to have fled. As a precautionary measure, several nearby homes were evacuated, with a CT Transit bus brought in to provide temporary shelter for the displaced residents. Additionally, two local schools and a daycare were placed on a "Code Yellow" lockdown. Investigators from the Major Crimes Division took charge of the case, which was determined to be the city's 17th homicide of the year.
Detectives believe the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted and isolated incident involving individuals who were known to each other. Several witnesses and persons of interest were transported to the Major Crimes Division for interviews. Despite these efforts, no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the death of Alexis Raymond Ortiz. The investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities continue to seek information from the public. Ortiz, a father of two children, was born on May 28, 1999, to Rafael Ortiz Jr. and Xiomara Rosa.
