Young New Haven Mom Shot, Killed; Man Arrested: Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 28-year-old mother was shot and killed Monday and police said they arrested the man who shot her.

Alessia M. Mesquita died in the Fair Haven Heights neighborhood in the area of Clifton and Lenox streets after she was shot at about 9:19 a.m., police said.

Rashod Akeem Newton, 27, was arrested and charged with murder, risk of injury to a child and criminal possession of a firearm. He was held on $3 million bail.

Police told the New Haven Independent the pair were involved in a domestic dispute in a car with their 1-year-old child inside. Neighbors heard several gunshots, according to reports.

Police said Newton removed Mesquita's body from the car and put her on the road, according to the Independent. The man drove off with the child and police found the vehicle on Eastern Street, where he was arrested, the Independent reported.

Police said Newton had an assault warrant for an unrelated case in West Haven.

A GoFundMe campaign was started to help Mesquita's two children and pay for her funeral. Nearly $15,000 had been raised as of Tuesday afternoon.

Fundraiser organizer Aliya Caraway wrote, "My dearest sister. My only big sister. Alessia Mesquita was born on June 20, 1992. In CT. She is and always will be an amazing loving mother of two (2) beautiful babies who loved her more than anything!

"My mother & family cannot thank you enough for all the support this far," Caraway wrote. "We NEVER expected this to ever happen."

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304. Callers may remain anonymous.

>>>View the GoFundMe page.

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>>>Read the full New Haven Independent story.