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Man Shot During Shooting Victim's Vigil

Police: Incident Not Believed To Be Retaliation

POSTED: 8:57 am EDT July 2, 2009
UPDATED: 6:59 pm EDT July 2, 2009

Police in East Hartford said shots were fired at about 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday at a candlelight vigil being held for a shooting victim at 269 Main St., leaving one person dead.

Police said the vigil was held in memory of William Castillo, who was fatally shot in his apartment on June 30.

Windsor Locks resident Ron Darity came to 269 Main St. after he heard another round of deadly violence occurred at the apartment complex.

"All I know is there was an argument, loud noise, someone got shot several times," he said. "All I did was come down to pay my respects. It doesn't matter to me who it is. I'm tired of it, just tired of it."

The victim of the shooting was identified as Brian Rivera, of Hartford. Witnesses said Rivera and about 20 other people had gathered to remember Castillo.

Police said that's when Anthony Williams, 32, of Hartford, and another man showed up to "cause harm to certain individuals there."

"A dispute erupted, which escalated to gunfire," Officer Hugo Benettieri said. "We have three victims at local hospitals. This investigation is just beginning."

Police said the violence turned deadly when Williams got into a fist-fight with Rivera. They said that's when the unidentified person with Williams shot Rivera in the chest and killed him.

Gunfire was exchanged between the individuals in attendance, police said, which led to Williams being shot in the arm and another man receiving non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said that Rivera and the other man who was injured were treated at the scene and brought to nearby hospitals, where Rivera was pronounced dead.

They said Williams was found at Rentschler Field later in the night after they received a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Wlliams appeared in court on Thursday in a hospital gown. He is charged with criminal attempt to murder, two counts of first-degree conspiracy to assault, two counts of risk of injury and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Police said they're still looking for the man who was with Williams.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed by the Office of the Chief State's Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

Police said they don't believe the incident was in retaliation to Castillo's death.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the East Hartford Police Department at 860-528-4401. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.


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