$50,000 reward offered in unsolved West Haven murder: officials

WEST HAVEN, CT – A reward is being offered for help solving the murder of a man on I-95 in West Haven nearly four years ago, according to officials.

The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers of Jawara Stennett, Attorney Margaret E. Kelley of the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District and the Connecticut State Police Western District have announced. Major Crime Squad announced Thursday .

Subscribe

Stennett, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was fatally shot on Exit 43 on the ramp to I-95 in West Haven on August 2, 2020, around 10 p.m., according to authorities.

“That evening, Mr. Stennett was on his way home to New York after attending a family birthday party in Connecticut in honor of his father,” officials wrote in a news release. “Police responded to the I-95 exit after reports of a shooting there and found Mr. Stennett with gunshot wounds to his torso. His death was subsequently determined to be a homicide. Mr. Stennett is survived by a loving family, including six children.

“Despite extensive investigative efforts by the Connecticut State Police, Mr. Stennett’s murder remains unsolved. In hopes of advancing this investigation, Governor Ned Lamont has authorized a $50,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mr. Stennett’s killer.”

Investigators also want to speak with the driver of a white Lexus GX 460 SUV with a Connecticut license plate that was seen on video driving north on Campbell Avenue near Interstate 95 in West Haven on August 2, 2020 at approximately 10 p.m. . The vehicle can be seen here in Video 1 and Video 2.

“Mr. Stennett’s family deserves to know what happened to their father, son, brother and loved one,” said Kelley. “Now we are asking for the public’s help in providing them with answers. We know there are are individuals with information about this investigation that has not yet come forward. Even if you have information that you do not think is particularly useful, please share it with us so that we can put it in the broader context of the entire investigation. .All information is helpful in solving this puzzle.”

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Sgt. Michael Beauton at [email protected], Detective Maxwell Robins at 860-805-3167 and [email protected] or Criminal Division Inspector Herbert Johnson at 203-687-6816 and [email protected] .

“Detectives from the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad have worked diligently on this case for four years,” Beauton said. “Now we are asking for the public’s help in an effort to identify Mr. Stennett’s killer and bring justice to the Stennett family.”