New Haven Independent

DJ Murdered

by Paul Bass | March 20, 2008 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

A popular neighborhood DJ was shot to death in the hallway of a Scranton Street apartment building Thursday.

An argument apparently broke out in the hallway of 105 Scranton St. around 8:30 a.m., according to Lt. Ray Hassett, who was on the scene Thursday afternoon. “Shots were fired. He died shortly thereafter.”

Police were still investigating the crime late Thursday afternoon and not releasing details about what the argument was over or whether they had suspects in the shooting. They weren’t yet releasing the victim’s name. They said he was 25 years old. (The Register’s Bill Kaempffer identified the victim as Johnny Bell, in this story.)

Friends in the neighborhood said he went by two nicknames: “J.R.” and “Chain,” for the long chain he wore around his neck.

“He was a family man. We all hanged out together with our kids after work,” said a neighbor who identified himself as Edward (pictured at the top of this story), an HVAC fabricator and installer. “We all grew up together. Now we have kids of our own. He was just a good dude.”

Another neighbor, Camilla Butler, said J.R. would regularly deejay parties in the area. She, Edward, and others gathered outside the building to light memorial candles, battling mightily against a wind that was overpowering their lighters. Because the building’s entrance was closed off as a crime scene, they prepared their sidewalk memorial a hundred feet or so down the street.

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Posted by: Cross90 | March 24, 2008 9:13 AM

J.R. was my cousin that died and I miss him dearly and I wish whoever shot my cousin would be found and locked up for having a gun in the first place. He had a baby she is 3 years old now and will now have to be rasied without one of the few fathers now that actually take care of their children. He was too young to die and had his whole life ahead of him and my whole family will miss him dearly. Thanks Paul for Posting this Story.

Posted by: ISH | March 25, 2008 7:59 PM

ALPHA; THE BEGINNING & OMEGA; THE END

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS CALLED IT'S CHILD HOME!

HE'S NO LONGER STRUGGLING OR SUFFERING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS COLD & CRUEL WORLD THAT'S FILLED WITH ENVY, JEALOUSY & HATRED. HE'S FOUND HIS PEACE AND NOW HE'LL BE WATCHING OVER US ALL.
JUST REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES YOU SHARED. HE'LL BE CARRYING & GUIDING YOU THROUGH THE MIST OF IT ALL.
NEVER QUESTION WHY BECAUSE GOD HAS IT'S REASON FOR EVERYTHING.
GOD ALSO SAYS, "I AM THE TRUTH & I AM THE LIGHT!"
"WHAT'S IN THE DARK COMES TO THE LIGHT & WHAT'S UNDER WATER SURFACES!"
DON'T DE DISMAYED, NEVER GIVE UP OR LOOSE YOUR FAITH.

***************REST IN PEACE J.R******************

LOVE ALWAYS
ISH & FAMILY

Posted by: Sharon Henninger | March 25, 2008 11:42 PM

Fundraiser SILENT AUCTION/ RAFFLE/ BRUNCH
United Teen Connection, Inc. PRIMARY PREVENTION Teen to Teen Helpline 203-789-TEEN(8336)since 1985
WHEN: March 29, 2008 WHERE: North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church Street, North Haven, CT TIME: 11:00am-3:00pm CONTACT: Sharon 203-488-5912 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO THE YOUTH OF YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW.

Posted by: booslick | March 27, 2008 12:10 PM

black on black & latino on latino crime must end!..new haven is a small city & for endless years we have been laying young brothers & sisters 2 rest constantly!..lets wake up! and put an end 2 dis sinceless cycle of violence... each 1 teach 1.. da gerat j.r shall always be missed!!r.i.p..famo!!.......booslick!

New Haven Independent

DJ Murdered

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