In the late summer of 1966, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragic mass shooting in New Haven, Connecticut, claiming the life of 27-year-old Richard Leathers, a male, and five others. The gunman, Arthur J. Davis, initiated his violent rampage on August 25, 1966, after his girlfriend had left him earlier that day. Fueled by personal grievances, Davis, armed with a carbine, went searching for her, expressing his intent to cause harm.
His search led him to the home of Leatrice McClure at 16 Northeast Drive, where a gathering of family and friends was taking place.
Upon entering the residence, Davis opened fire, indiscriminately shooting at the people inside. The gunfire resulted in the deaths of six individuals: Mary McClease, 51; Neal White, 55; Carolyn Sykes, 24; Francine McClease, 14; five-year-old Michael Sykes; and Richard Leathers. Some of the victims were shot multiple times. After the killings, Davis fled the scene, prompting a manhunt that extended beyond Connecticut.
The search for Arthur J. Davis concluded with his arrest in New Jersey. He was subsequently charged with six counts of first-degree murder. In 1969, a court found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him to death. However, his sentence was later commuted to six consecutive life terms following the 1972 Supreme Court decision in Furman v. Georgia, which found the death penalty to be unconstitutional at the time.
