Press Releases
01/26/2024
Jury Finds Two Hartford Men Guilty of the 2020 Fatal Shooting of Junny Lara-Velazquez in Hartford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) – Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced today that a Superior Court jury on January 24, 2024 found two Hartford brothers, both named Edwin Franqui, guilty of the 2020 fatal shooting of Junny Lara-Velazquez, age 19, in Hartford.
Edwin Franqui, age 32, was found guilty of the crimes of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a(a), Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § § 53a-48/53a-54a(a), Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59a(5), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217(a).
Edwin Franqui, age 27, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § § 53a-48/53a-54a(a), Accessory to Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § § 53a-8/53a-54a(a) and Accessory to Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § § 53a-8/53a-59a(5).
Testimony presented at trial showed that on July 6, 2020, the victim was driving with two passengers in a Honda in Hartford when an Infiniti pulled alongside the victim’s car. Approximately eight to 10 rounds were fired from the Infiniti into the Honda striking Mr. Lara-Velazquez and one of the passengers. The foot of Mr. Lara-Velazquez became stuck in the vehicle’s accelerator, causing the Honda to keep traveling until it crashed into a building in West Hartford. Mr. Lara-Velazquez was taken to Hartford Hospital where he was later pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the head. The passengers were both transported to the hospital and treated for injuries. One of the passengers identified the Franqui brothers as being responsible for the shooting. Police located another witness who was able to identify the brothers as the perpetrators of the shooting. The witness told police that one of the brothers confessed to the murder.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Riley and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Casey Flynn, with the assistance of Inspector Luis Rodriguez. The Honorable Michael J. Gustafson presided over the trial.
State's Attorney Walcott would like to thank the jury for their time and attention to this case, the witnesses who came forward despite difficult circumstances, and the dedication of Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Riley, Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Flynn, and Inspectors Rodriguez, Carlos Ocasio, Joseph Buyak and Thomas Steck to the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2024 in Hartford Superior Court.