In the early morning hours of February 17, 2019, the life of 28-year-old Jakari Lewis, a male resident of Hartford, Connecticut, was tragically cut short. The incident unfolded around 1:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the Vibz Uptown nightclub on Main Street as it was closing for the night. Gunfire erupted, and in the ensuing chaos, Lewis was fatally wounded. Two other individuals, a 29-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were also injured in the shooting.
Lewis was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. His death was recorded as the second homicide in the city of Hartford for that year.
Jakari Lewis was a native of Hartford, born on July 28, 1990, and had grown up in both Hartford and Bloomfield, eventually graduating from Weaver High School. He was a devoted father to his twin children, Jakari Jr. and Jahniya Lewis. At the time of his passing, he was employed at Bar Louie in West Hartford and had plans to further his education. Described as having an entrepreneurial spirit, Lewis was in the process of starting his own juice bar business, which he intended to name "Rachels" in honor of his grandmother who had raised him. He was known for his bright smile and the love he had for his family and friends.
In the days following the shooting, the Hartford Police launched an investigation into the incident. While no immediate arrests were made, sources close to the investigation suggested that the shooting was believed to be connected to gang activity. Community leaders and family members gathered for a vigil outside the nightclub, calling for witnesses to come forward and for an end to the violence plaguing the city. The police asked anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact them through their anonymous tip line. Despite these pleas and the ongoing investigation, there have been no public announcements of any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the years since the death of Jakari Lewis. The case remains unresolved, leaving a void in the lives of his family and friends.
