MIDDLETOWN, CT — A quiet evening on Cooley Avenue was shattered by gunfire Wednesday, leading to a massive police response and the eventual arrest of a 24-year-old man on murder charges.
Middletown Police officials confirmed that Nygell Smikle, 24, was taken into custody just hours after the fatal incident, ending a multi-city search that involved detectives from both the Middletown and Hartford Police Departments.
Gunfire Reported on Cooley Avenue
The incident began shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday when Middletown dispatch received a flurry of 911 calls reporting multiple shots fired in the area of Cooley Avenue. According to police records, several witnesses reported a terrifying scene: a man seen running through the neighborhood while brandishing a handgun immediately after the shots rang out.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First responders rushed the man to Middlesex Hospital, but despite life-saving efforts, he was later pronounced dead. As of Thursday morning, authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim, pending notification of his next of kin.
The Arrest and Charges
Investigators worked quickly to process the scene and interview witnesses, identifying Smikle as the primary suspect within hours. Tracking him to Hartford, Middletown detectives coordinated with the Hartford Police Department to take him into custody without further incident.
Smikle now faces a string of serious charges, including:
- Murder
- Carrying a Handgun Without a Permit
- First-Degree Reckless Endendangerment
- Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
He is currently being held on a $2 million bond and is scheduled for an initial appearance at Middlesex Superior Court on Thursday.
Community Safety and Ongoing Investigation
Following the arrest, Middletown Police released a statement assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. They characterized the shooting as an isolated incident, though they have not yet commented on a potential motive or the relationship between Smikle and the victim.
The Major Investigations Unit is continuing to gather evidence and is asking for the public’s help to fill in the gaps of what happened on Cooley Avenue.
How You Can Help
Middletown Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has home surveillance footage from the Cooley Avenue area to come forward.
- Contact: Major Investigations Unit
- Phone: 860-638-4140
What is your reaction to this tragic news? With violent incidents appearing in the headlines, do you feel safe in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts and condolences for the victim’s family in the comments below.
