Cecil Grant and Derrick Newkirk are facing felony charges for what police say was a near fatal shooting that happened in August almost a year ago.
Cecil Grant, left, and Derrick Newkirk HARTFORD, Conn. - Two men arrested in July for their alleged part in the attempted robbery and attempted murder of a pizza delivery woman in Hartford are facing a new set of charges stemming from another almost fatal shooting.
The Hartford Shooting Task Force announced that Cecil Grant of 27 Orange St., and Derrick Newkirk of 55 Elmer St, both 19-year-old Hartford residents already in custody, were additionally charged for a drive-by shooting that took place on Aug. 20, 2010.
Hartford police said that on that date around 1 a.m., officers were called to investigate a drive-by shooting in front of 45 East St. Witnesses reported that two men, who police allege was Grant and Newkirk, were in a car that fired several shots into another vehicle, striking a victim in the face and jaw. The victim lived but police say he is still recovering from the serious injuries.
The closure of this year-old shooting case is the latest by the Hartford Shooting Task Force since it was reinstated by Hartford mayor Pedro E. Segarra at the beginning of July.
In this case, both Grant and Newkirk were charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and three counts of criminal attempt to commit first degree assault. Newkirk was also charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and criminal use of a firearm while in commission of a felony.
Both men, who are already facing felonies following a May 1 incident that left a pizza delivery woman with bullet wounds, are awaiting further court proceedings and being held in lieu of $500,000 bonds.
"The impact of the shooting team is being felt throughout the city," Segarra said. "Despite the recent success, however, I am resolute in my commitment to continue working with all of the stakeholders to provide them with the tools they need to apprehend violent individuals and ensure they remain incarcerated and are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "The violence perpetrated by these individuals has left two shooting victims with serious injuries from which they continue to recover; there lives have been changed forever. I congratulate all the members of the Hartford Shooting (Task Force) for their pursuit and apprehension of Newkirk and Grant, who will now face the consequences for violent actions."
The Hartford Shooting Team is a partnership between the Hartford Police Department, Office of the Hartford State's Attorney, Office of the Chief State's Attorney, the Connecticut State Police, the Department of Corrections, and the East Hartford, West Hartford and Manchester police departments. It is charged with investigating gun violence and bring those responsible for such violence to prosecution.