On the evening of July 20, 2017, Johnny Lezeau, a 26-year-old male, was fatally shot on Ely Avenue in Norwalk, Connecticut. Around 7:45 p.m., police responded to reports of shots fired in the vicinity of 236 Ely Ave. Upon arrival, they discovered Lezeau with life-threatening injuries. He was immediately transported to Norwalk Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators determined that the shooting was not a random act, believing Lezeau was the intended target of a drive-by shooting. Witnesses reported seeing a white Honda Civic or Ford Taurus speed away from the scene after four or five shots were fired, causing Lezeau to collapse onto a lawn.
The investigation into Johnny Lezeau's death continued for months. In March 2018, the Norwalk Police Department made an arrest in the case. Jermaine Scott, a 21-year-old from Norwalk, was taken into custody and charged with murder. He was held on a $1 million bond. The arrest warrant was sealed at the time, limiting the immediate release of further details about the investigation.
Years later, the case against Jermaine Scott went to trial. In August 2024, a Stamford Superior Court jury found the now 27-year-old Scott guilty of the murder of Johnny Lezeau. Testimony during the trial revealed the motive behind the shooting. Scott and his then-girlfriend were on their way to a wedding when they encountered a group of young men, including Lezeau. Scott believed these men were associated with someone who had previously insulted and threatened his girlfriend. In response, Scott went home to retrieve a gun and a sweatshirt, then returned to the area. He located the group and fired five to seven shots at them. Although there were multiple people in the area, Lezeau was the only one struck by the gunfire; a bullet penetrated his chest and lodged in his arm. A crucial part of the prosecution's case was the testimony of Scott's former girlfriend, who came forward months after the incident and provided law enforcement with a detailed account of Scott's involvement. On November 12, 2024, Jermaine Scott was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder.
