On the evening of November 18, 2023, 18-year-old Joseph Zavala of Waterbury, Connecticut, was shot near North Main Street and Kingsbury Street. He was privately transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital with a serious gunshot wound and died two days later. The shooting scene outside the North End Rec Center produced 30 shell casings from four different types of firearms, and investigators concluded multiple shooters had lain in wait for Zavala.

Police say the motive remains under investigation and that the case involves individuals with ties to local gangs; Zavala was suspected of association with the 800 street gang. In the months after the killing, authorities arrested five suspects: 20-year-old Duane Mercer and 19-year-old Nigel Robinson were charged with murder and related offenses; a 16-year-old was later charged as an adult; 20-year-old Jada Ellis was charged with conspiracy to commit murder; and 17-year-old Naeem Gineyard was arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy, with one report saying he was seen on video executing Zavala.

Does anyone have information about Zavala’s movements that night or about activity near the North End Rec Center?