Vernon police Tuesday night arrested two people who they said conspired to fatally shoot a teenager during a daylight pistol-whipping last month in the Rockville section of town.
They still are looking for the man who they said pistol-whipped and fired at the juvenile outside 100 Prospect St. The teen was able to avoid being shot by whacking the gun with his hand, police said.
“It was a brazen shooting,” Vernon police Lt. William Meier said.
According to police, the Aug. 27 pistol-whipping was part of an escalating feud between two groups of young men that has gone on a few years. Police have been able to make 17 arrests, including five Tuesday night.
Jakwai Sosa, 21, of 157 Union St. who police said helped pistol-whip the teen, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree assault with a firearm, operating a drug factory and other charges. Sosa was in police custody on bonds totaling $1.6 million early Wednesday and was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Rockville later in the day.
A 17-year-old also was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, they said. In addition, the teen, who police said was the getaway car driver, was arrested on charges that include criminal liability to commit murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault with a firearm. He was in custody at the juvenile detention center in Hartford.
Police said they are still looking for the 18-year-old who they believe pulled the trigger while aiming a gun at the teen’s face. They hold warrants for the arrest of Trenton Merrill, of 157 Union St., on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and other felony offenses.
Merrill should be considered armed and dangerous, police said, and anyone who sees him is encouraged to immediately call police.
Also arrested in connection with the case was Carlyann Merrill, 41, of 157 Union St., who was charged with tampering with evidence and interfering with police. Police said she deleted home surveillance video after learning police were investigating an assault involving her son.
She also refused to give police her cellphone, which contained evidence, police said.
In addition, Angela Raber, 18, of 631 Talcottville Road in Vernon, was charged with providing a false statement and conspiracy to commit sale of controlled substances, they said.
Another juvenile was arrested and charged as part of what police described as a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving the Union Street address. He will be referred to juvenile authorities, police said.
Police continue to investigate the case. Anyone who has information about it, including about the whereabouts of Trenton Merrill, is asked to call Det. Thomas Van Tasel at 860-872-9126 ext. 3767.
Christine Dempsey can be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
