Fairfield Police say they have made arrest in fatal shooting of 15-year-old in 2022

The Fairfield Police Department said an arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in 2022.

On July 9, 2022, officers were called to a banquet hall next to the Calvin United Church on Kings Highway East around 10:20 p.m. after getting several 911 calls reporting shots fired. They said a party with hundreds of attendees was taking place.

When officers arrived, they found two minors suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both transported to the hospital, where one of them, 15-year-old Zion Burton of Stratford, died, according to police.

In their investigation, detectives identified a male suspect who was 16 years old when the shooting happened. They then developed enough evidence to arrest the teen and served him an arrest warrant on April 3 of this year, police said.

“For the family of the victim, 15-year-old Zion Burton, this arrest does not erase the pain, grief, and loss that they have endured over the last several years,” Fairfield Police Chief Michael Paris said in a press conference. “There is no arrest that can ever fully heal what they have gone through, however I hope today represents and important step toward justice and accountability.”

The suspect is currently being held at the Manson Correctional Youth Institution in Cheshire on unrelated charges of murder, assault in the first degree, and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to police.

The case is being handled as a juvenile matter, but it is anticipated to be transferred to adult court, police said.

“The Fairfield Police Department extends its condolences to the family of the juvenile who lost his life and recognizes the impact this incident had on the juvenile who was injured,” Fairfield police wrote in a press release.

Paris is currently providing an update at Fairfield Police Headquarters.

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