A man was shot to death outside RJ’s Cafe Saturday morning at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Fifth Street.
Police identified the victim as Javon Zimmerman, 22.
He was shot in the parking lot at about 2 a.m.
Police said officers responded to the parking lot at RJ’s after receiving a report of shots fired.
Zimmerman was shot several times, according to police.
Storm Ambulance took him to nearby Griffin Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Derby police are investigating, with assistance from Ansonia police and the state police Major Crime Squad.
Crime scene tape closed off access to the rear of RJ’s Cafe at 148 Elizabeth St. as of 11 a.m.
Two plain clothes police officers were on nearby Anson Street talking to residents on a sidewalk.
Police are asking anyone with information to call 203 – 735-7811. An e‑mail seeking additional comments was left with Derby police.
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In 2010, Zimmerman was arrested on minor drug charges. He was picked up by police along with seven other defendants who police accused of orchestrating a drug and gun ring in the lower Valley. The group had tentacles that stretched into many other local crimes, police said at the time.
Zimmerman got 10 days in jail for the April 2010 bust. Zimmerman was listed as an Ansonia resident at the time of that arrest.
According to online court records, Zimmerman had three felony drug charges pending in Superior Court in Derby in connection to a Jan. 7 arrest in Derby.
The parking lot of RJ’s also saw violence back in July 2011, when someone fired shots into the air during a fist fight. There were about 50 people in the parking lot during the melee. No one was hit by the bullets.
RJ’s Cafe is scheduled to be closed Monday (May 14) as punishment for violating four state liquor laws, including hours of operation and “conduct of permit premises.” The cafe was also ordered to pay a $500 fine.
The liquor permit notice is posted below:
