Warrant Shows Planned Assault Short Time Before Vernon Shooting

VERNON, CT — The investigation into a shooting last month at a Vernon apartment complex led police to what appears to be an organized assault on a teenager days earlier, a warrant shows.

As a result, 20-year-old Javon Nelson has been charged with second-degree assault and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, records show. He was arrested at the Rockville Stop & Shop Friday evening, held over the weekend on a $75,000 bond and was to appear in court Monday, records show.

Several people have been charged in connection with the May 11 shooting at the Park West apartments, including a 17-year-old with attempted murder.

Police seized several cell phones as part of the shooting investigation and Nelson's number, known to police already, surfaced in a group chat called "Da Shootas," according to a warrant.

Dialogue in the group chart shows several teens planning an attack on a rival teen.

Video from a confiscated phone also shows an assault taking place nine days before the shooting and Nelson was identified as a participant, according to a warrant.

Detectives said the assault was part of an ongoing feud between "two groups of young men" that has escalated over the years from fist fights to stabbings to shootings. The May 2 and May 11 incidents were connected, police said in a warrant.