In the early morning hours of November 19, 2018, the life of Shawn Robin Rhodes, a 49-year-old Black/African American man, was tragically cut short in Hartford, Connecticut. A pedestrian discovered his body around 2 a.m. in a transit bus shelter located in the Pope Park area. Authorities were immediately alerted, and upon their arrival, it was determined that Rhodes had been shot twice.
His death was quickly ruled a homicide, marking the city's 19th of the year.
Known to friends and family as "Seany B," Shawn was remembered as a humorous and lovable person who was always willing to help others. He was born in Hartford on June 1, 1969, and was known for his infectious smile and his love of music and fashion. In his leisure time, he enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics. His sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief through his community, leaving his family, including his mother who traveled from Oklahoma, searching for answers.
In the wake of the shooting, Hartford police detectives began an investigation, interviewing people in the vicinity of the crime scene and reviewing available surveillance footage. A week and a half after his death, family, friends, and community members gathered for a vigil in the Parkville section of Hartford to honor his memory and call for justice. Despite these efforts and the ongoing police investigation, no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder of Shawn Robin Rhodes. The case remains unsolved, with his killer or killers still at large.
