On a warm summer evening in Andover, Connecticut, the life of 38-year-old Jason Marchand, a Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On July 3, 2015, what should have been a festive time celebrating the upcoming holiday turned into a scene of violence. An argument had reportedly erupted earlier in the evening between Marchand and a man on a motorcycle. Marchand had expressed concern that the motorcycle was kicking up gravel near where children were playing with fireworks.
The motorcyclist sped off after the heated exchange.
Later that night, as Marchand was enjoying a bonfire and roasting marshmallows with his son and neighborhood children in his backyard, the motorcyclist returned. The man, identified as 21-year-old Michael Fortin, approached the backyard and opened fire on Marchand, striking him multiple times in the chest. Marchand was rushed to Windham Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. The shooting happened in front of Marchand's young son.
In the months following the shooting, state police investigated the homicide. They released a description of the suspect, noting he wore dark clothing, red riding gloves, a distinctive helmet, and rode a smaller red and white dirt bike. The investigation led them to Michael R. Fortin, who was taken into custody in November 2015. Fortin was charged with murder, reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor, and carrying a handgun without a permit.
Michael Fortin's case went to trial, and in April 2017, he was found not guilty of murder but was convicted on the lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter. He was also found guilty of carrying a pistol without a permit. In June 2017, nearly two years after Jason Marchand's death, Fortin was sentenced to 32 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of special parole for his role in the fatal shooting.
