FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) – Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott announced today that on May 2, 2023 the Honorable David P. Gold sentenced William Moore, age 29, of Bristol, to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years of special parole for the shooting death of Karlonzo Taylor, 17, and the wounding of another teen in Hartford in December 2018.
Moore on March 1, 2023 pleaded guilty to Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a and Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(1).
According to court records, Moore discharged a firearm on the second floor of a Hartford residence at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2018. The bullets struck the victim and a second teen. Both teens were taken to area hospitals where Karlonzo Taylor later died. The second teen survived and lives with persistent wounds.
"This case highlights a tragedy we, especially prosecutors, see daily in the criminal justice system," State's Attorney Walcott said. "There are no winners in this case. The entire community loses. The victims and their families are suffering unimaginable loss, the school system was forever impacted by this crime and the defendant, as well as his family, face serious punishment. Gun violence has a devastating impact on our communities. Greater focus needs to be placed on improving access to mental health care for young adults. We, as a society, need to do better, for everyone."
The case was prosecuted by State’s Attorney Walcott, with assistance from Inspector Thomas Steck and Paralegal Specialist Kelly De La Cruz.