Funeral service honors 16-year-old boy shot and killed in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) Sixteen-year-old Uzziah Shell was killed in a shooting on November 22.

On Saturday, many of Uzziah friends, family, and loved ones gathered at a church to honor his memory.

Uzziah was killed on Goffe St. in a tragic shooting.

Many of his loved ones spoke about the person he was. They described him as a boy who loved sports, travel, and had a big smile that could light up a room.

“My brother was lovable, kind, he uplifted everyone... he was just a lovable person,” said Aniqua Booker, Uzziah’s sister.

Aniqua had a special bond with her brother.

“That was my baby, that was my baby,” she said.

Uzziah went to Riverside Education Academy and took part in many city programs, including Leap, a city education and athletics program for children.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker attended the sixteen-year-old’s funeral. While the mayor did not know Uzziah personally, he spoke very highly of his accomplishments.

“He had his whole life ahead of him. To put so much potential six-feet underground is just tragic for our community,” Elicker said.

This funeral happened after a stretch of violence in the Elm City. Both Uzziah and his friend Daily Jackson were shot and killed less than two weeks apart.

Both Mayor Elicker and Aniqua hope Uzziah’s story can help other teens stay away from gun violence.

“I just pray that everyone can stay focused. We want to put an end to the gun violence it is very, very, very important,” Aniqua said.

New Haven Police are still working to find Uzziah’s killer.

“We want to make sure that young people in our community understand that picking up guns when you’re angry is not the way to resolve your problems. We’re going to do everything we possibly can to support young people to make the right choices,” said Mayor Elicker.

Officers are asking anyone with information on this shooting to call the New Haven Police Department.