FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) – John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District, announced that Jenigh Ward, aged 20, of Hamden, was sentenced today by the Honorable Gerald L. Harmon to 35 years to serve in prison for the 2022 murder of Elijah Gomez. Ward previously pleaded guilty in June to one count of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a.
At sentencing, the court heard from many of Gomez’s family members who explained the immense loss they suffered. Gomez’s mother, Jennifer Cathcart, addressed Ward personally at one point. “I’m sad every day. I’m miserable every day. You literally took my joy and my happiness from me and I can’t get that back. I want to know why.”
Crystal Cathcart, Gomez’s Aunt, spoke of Gomez’s life and legacy. “Elijah may not be with us today, but his caring nature will forever live on through his charity we created as his legacy. When people think of Elijah or learn of his story, the script being written in his legacy is one of a person who cared for others, who was kind, compassionate and cared about peace over hate. That is our family’s mission.” She continued, “I would also like to go on the record thanking our dedicated contacts in the State’s Attorney’s office, the Victim’s Advocates Office, and, from the bottom of my heart, the Hamden Police Department. Many families don’t find this chapter closing so quickly when they experience a murder. I, and we, are grateful for the work you do,” she concluded.
Ward’s conviction stems from the murder of Gomez on May 9, 2022. On that date, Hamden Police responded to the Farmington Canal trail, near the area of Treadwell Street, for a report of shots fired. Gomez, a freshman at Hamden High School, was found on scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased. The shooting was captured on nearby surveillance cameras and showed that Ward—along with two unidentified individuals—followed Gomez as he walked home from school. Ward shot Gomez multiple times and fled the scene. He was identified by area surveillance cameras, as well as his car, clothing, and ballistic evidence recovered from his bedroom that matched the type recovered from the scene of the shooting.
State’s Attorney Doyle wishes to extend his gratitude to the Hamden Police Department for their investigation of this case, which remains ongoing, and his deepest condolences to the family of Elijah Gomez. Anyone having information related to the identities of the two unknown suspects involved in the murder of Elijah Gomez are urged to contact the Hamden Police Department at 203-230-4057.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Gregory L. Borrelli and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly E. Davis, with assistance from Inspector Michael Mastropetre.