Police identified the man shot to death Wednesday night as Isaia Hernandez, 25, of 69 Jackson St., Ansonia.
“Based on witness accounts and video surveillance, it appears as if the victim and two suspects were in a vehicle together and when the vehicle pulled in to the parking lot of Xpress Mart the victim exited the car and then collapsed in the parking lot,” according to a statement issued by Lt. Andrew Cota Thursday morning.
“Two males then exited the vehicle and fled on foot east on Church Street. At this time the suspects are unknown.”
Police have not determined whether last night’s shooting is connected to a fatal shooting from last week.
The following is our story from Wednesday night.
Police are still searching for two suspects in a fatal shooting that took place outside a gas station on Wakelee Avenue Wednesday evening.
Police said the victim is a 25-year-old man, but are not releasing his name until his family has been notified.
The shooting happened at the Xtra Mart gas station on Wakelee Avenue and Church Street at about 6:05 p.m.
The victim was in a white car with the suspects at the time of the shooting, Lt. Andrew Cota said.
Based on surveillance footage from the Xtra Mart’s store, it appears that three men clamored out of the car at the same time, Cota said. The victim stumbled toward the gas pumps, while the suspects took off down Church Street.
Witnesses said they heard two or three gun shots and saw lots of blood on the victim’s face immediately following the shooting.
“His face was completely bloody,” said one witness, a man who would only give his first name, Jeremy.
The shooting happened in daylight. There were people walking down the street and at the Xpress Mart at the gas station when it happened.
‘It’s broad daylight. There’s cameras there,” Jeremy said, pointing to the Xtra security cameras. “It wasn’t at all secluded.”
The victim was taken to Griffin Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy will be conducted Thursday, Cota said.
The shooting happened exactly one week after another fatal shooting in Ansonia. On March 9, 25-year-old Daryl Rhys Venson was gunned down on Root Avenue.
Cota said police are trying to determine if the two are related. No one has been arrested in last week’s shooting, Cota said. Police continue to investigate that incident.
The Connecticut State Police are helping the investigation of Wednesday’s fatal shooting, Cota said. As of 9 p.m, police had not searched the car yet because they were waiting for a search warrant to do so.
Cota said once the car is searched, police might get a better idea of who was inside the car, and what happened.
There are no specific suspects in Wednesday’s shooting. Police are asking anyone who saw anything to call them at (203) 735‑1855.
The following was originally posted at 6:13 p.m.
A person shot in the parking lot of the XtraMart on Wakelee Avenue has died, police said.
The shooting was reported at 6:07 p.m. The victim was pronounced dead at Griffin Hospital about an hour after the shooting.
Police did not release the person’s name.
Police said they are looking for at least two suspects. Police dogs were in the area at 6:45 p.m.
This is the second fatal shooting in Ansonia in seven days. On March 9, 25-year-old Daryl Rhys Venson was gunned down on Root Avenue.
This evening’s shooting happened as people were walking along the busy street, said one witness, who only gave his first name, Jeremy.
Two young boys on bicycles witnessed the shooting, Jeremy said.
‘It’s broad daylight. There’s cameras there,” Jeremy said, pointing to the Xtra security cameras. “It wasn’t, at all, secluded.”
Jeremy said it appeared the man was shot in the face.
‘“His face was completely bloody,” Jeremy said.
Wakelee Avenue was closed in front of the Xtra as of 7:22 p.m.
A white car remained at the station with its doors open. Several police officers were around the car, apparently as part of their investigation.
This article will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
