In the early morning hours of September 27, 2015, the life of 37-year-old Duhaney Christopher Kurt Watson, a Black male from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was tragically cut short. His body was discovered around 8:30 a.m. in a stairwell of a building at 159 Charles Street, the result of a fatal gunshot wound. The scene, marked by a bloody palm print on the wall, told a grim story of his final moments.
The investigation into Watson's death revealed a drug deal that had taken a violent turn.
It began at a gas station near Main Street and North Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. There, two men, later identified as Mohamad Rahim, 24, of Ansonia, and Jeremy Bratz, 25, of Stratford, arranged to purchase heroin from Watson. The three men then proceeded to Watson's home on Charles Street to complete the transaction.
Once inside the residence, the situation escalated dramatically. Rahim pulled out a gun and demanded that Watson hand over the drugs. When Watson refused, a struggle ensued, and Rahim shot him in the face. The two suspects then fled with approximately $700 worth of heroin, leaving Watson to die. They drove to Ansonia, where they abandoned their vehicle and had Rahim's girlfriend report it as stolen in an attempt to cover their tracks.
The efforts of the Bridgeport Police Department led to the arrests of both Rahim and Bratz. Both men confessed to their involvement in the crime. They were subsequently charged with felony murder and robbery, with their bonds set at $1 million each. In the end, Mohamad Rahim pleaded guilty to felony murder, first-degree robbery, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the death of Duhaney Watson. Bratz was also charged with felony murder and was awaiting trial.
