Assault, Drug Charges Filed In Connection With Vernon Shooting

VERNON, CT — A man accused of being involved in a window-smashing incident that preceded a shooting at a Vernon apartment complex remained in custody on a $250,000 bond Tuesday as police continue to search for the gunman.

Trevaughn Velez, 23, was arrested at 4:28 a.m. on Jan. 8, a little more than three hours after the shooting.

He is accused of assaulting a woman and smashing an apartment window with the woman and children in the dwelling.

Drugs were located at the scene, police said.

Velez was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal mischief
• Third-degree assault
• Two counts of second-degree breach of peace
• Risk of injury to a child
• Two counts of possession of a controlled substance
• Two counts of possession with intent to sell

He is due for his second court appearance on April 23, judicial records show.

The shooting took place at about 12:45 a.m. on Dec 8 at the Parkwest apartment complex, shortly after the assault, police said.

Police are looking for surveillance images as they continue to investigate the shooting, which was followed by a pursuit into Somers when the gunman fled Parkwest.

The shooter crashed a car in Somers, police said.

Vernon Police have been working with the state forensic lab to analyze evidence seized at both locations. Vernon Police have also been working jointly with Somers Police and the state police Eastern District Major Crime Squad to canvass neighborhoods in Somers where the shooter is believed to have fled.

Police believe a lone man fled on foot following the pursuit. Police said they are working to "obtain a reliable description" of the suspect, but do not believe the shooter is in the Somers area and have no reason to believe he has any ties to Somers.

Vernon Police said they are working with Massachusetts authorities in their attempts to identify and apprehend the shooter.

Vernon Police are still asking residents in Somers to check their home surveillance cameras on
Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 between about 12:50 and 5 a.m. for a suspicious person in the area. Anyone who has video that could be relevant to the investigation should contact Det. Charles Hicking at 860-872-9126 or chicking@vernon-ct.gov, police said.

Vernon police spokesman William Meier said responding officers found that an apartment had been struck by "gunfire." No one was injured but the apartment was occupied at the time of the
shooting, he said.