In the winter of 2019 in New Haven, Connecticut, the life of a Hispanic male named Michael Joseph Rosario Sr. was tragically cut short at the age of 55. A beloved father, grandfather, and brother, he was known as a "people's person" and a hard worker, holding positions as a longtime employee of Whalley Pizza, a custodian at Wilbur Cross High School, and the superintendent of the apartment building at 109 Court St. where he also lived.
The events that led to his untimely death unfolded on the afternoon of Thursday, December 19, 2019, stemming from what police would later describe as an "isolated incident" born from a verbal dispute.
The conflict reached a devastating climax around 4:15 p.m. inside the hallway of his apartment building. It was there that Rosario was shot once in the head, behind the ear. He was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital in critical condition, but tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day, on December 20, 2019. The preliminary investigation quickly revealed that the victim and the shooter were acquainted, pointing to a personal conflict that had escalated to violence.
The investigation moved swiftly, thanks in part to information provided by the public. Police had a tentative identification of a suspect shortly after the shooting, and the following morning, Robert Parris Jr., a 53-year-old resident of the same building, turned himself in to the New Haven police. During questioning, Parris confessed to the shooting, telling detectives, "I shot and killed him." He expressed remorse for his actions throughout the interview. The motive appeared to be a long-simmering resentment; Parris blamed Rosario for losing his job and believed Rosario was conspiring with Parris's mother to have him evicted. He told police he "could not take it anymore." Witnesses later confirmed that Parris had longstanding issues with Rosario and had even threatened to kill him on a prior occasion. One witness reported seeing Parris with a handgun earlier on the day of the shooting, allegedly stating his intention to kill Rosario.
Robert Parris Jr. was arrested on December 20, 2019, and charged with murder, carrying a pistol without a permit, and criminal possession of a pistol by a convicted felon. In January 2023, a jury found Parris guilty of murder, criminal possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was subsequently sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Michael Rosario Sr.
