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WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) ? Waterbury police are investigating a fatal shooting of 17-year-old Taevan Moshier that happened on Esther Avenue the morning of Friday, Jan. 22.

Police said that just after midnight, officers were called to a home near the corner of Bradley and Esther Avenue for a report of gunshots, and a fight involving teenage occupants of two vehicles.

Police said they say they found empty cartridge casings in the backyard of the residence on Esther Avenue and on the road on Alder and Poplar streets during their early morning investigation.

Police said everyone involved in this is now accounted for; five juveniles were arrested in connection to this incident.

A 17-year-old boy received several charges including murder, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and weapons in a motor vehicle.

Two more 17-year-old boys, a 16-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy were also arrested and are facing robbery and assault charges.

Tuesday, Jan. 26. police arrested a sixth teen in connection to the death of Taevan. The sixth arrest is a 16-year-old boy facing charges of robbery and assault.

Investigations revealed that in the early hours of Jan. 22, a 17-year-old boy was visiting a female friend on Esther Avenue. When he arrived, police said several teenage boys were waiting to rob him. Two people in the group had firearms.

Police said that?s when a fight and gunfire broke out. The intended victim ended up shooting one of the attackers. The intended victim then got into a Hyundai Sonata and sped away.

The other teens got into a black SUV and pursued the intended victim. Both vehicles got into a crash on the 200 block of Alder Avenue, about a mile away from Bradley and Esther. The SUV drove away, and the driver of the Hyundai fled the scene on foot to a friend?s house.

Several cars parked along Alder Street were sideswiped and damaged as a result of the crash.

The owner of one of those damaged cars spoke with News 8:

?I?m thankful I wasn?t in the car,? she said. ?These kids today with gunplay ? it don?t make much sense.?

While officers were investigating, police say the SUV dropped off the gunshot victim, later identified as 17-year-old Taevan Moshier of Waterbury, at Waterbury Hospital. He was shot in his chest. He later died at the hospital.

A friend of the family sent this message to News 8 Friday night:

?They want everyone to know he was a good kid. Looking forward to graduating at Kennedy this year. He was on the football and basketball teams. They would love to see gun violence come to an end.?


Waterbury Public Schools officials released the following statement:

The Waterbury Public Schools community has suffered a tremendous loss. Last night, a Kennedy High School student was tragically killed. We extend our deepest sympathies to the student?s family. A crisis team is in place to support students and staff as they grieve. Our school community, like the wonderful city we live in, will come together to do everything we can to provide support to our students, staff and families during this difficult time.

News 8 learned that the New Haven youth anti-gun violence group, Ice the Beef, has plans to reach out to Moshier?s family and try to give him support. They?re also planning a march and rally through the streets of Waterbury On Feb. 21 to say ?enough is enough? when it comes to kids getting caught up in gun violence.

Darryl Copeland of Ice the Beef said, ?I?m reaching out to all of our young people who are a part of Waterbury: we?re asking if you can find a way to just bring peace. Gun violence or violence period is never a way to solve problems.?

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Waterbury police at (203) 574-6941.