On a summer evening in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 18, 2015, a 34-year-old Black / African American man named Jonathan Whaley was tragically killed. The incident, which marked the city's 18th homicide of the year, unfolded on the porch of an apartment building on Elliott Street. Whaley, a father of seven, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Another man, 22-year-old Bruce Banks, was also shot during the altercation but his injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument that police believe was drug-related. In the weeks following the incident, law enforcement identified a suspect in the fatal shooting. On August 10, 2015, 35-year-old Raphael Concepcion of Hartford was arrested and charged in connection with the crime. The charges brought against him included murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, and first-degree assault.
Following his arrest, Concepcion was held on a $3 million bond and was scheduled for a court appearance. At the time of his arrest, it was reported that Concepcion was a convicted felon with a history of previous arrests.
