New Haven Independent

posted by: Eric on March 26, 2011  3:31am

This is just beyond words. My band from NJ just played at the house Mitchell’s last Sunday. We got to meet Mitchell and his amazing roommates who were nothing but accommodating to us. I’m completely beside myself. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.

posted by: Gavin on March 26, 2011  3:57am

Mitch, I got the chance to get to know you briefly over the last two years. You helped my band out with shows and when we came to the East Coast you were very hospitable and let us stay at your place. I saw you last this summer in the suburbs somewhere, I can’t place it now, but we were playing a house show and playing with old action figures in the garage. You always struck me as a very positiv guy who loved life and I will always admire you for that.

posted by: nothing but hate on March 26, 2011  4:06am

...i grew up in one of the safest towns in massachusetts and am thankful for that, but i live in new haven now. not everyone can afford to live in places outside of bassett. mitch came here with minimal funds and a dream. to have you all try and act like “well, he lived on bassett, kinda had it coming!” makes me so sad, scared and sick to my stomach.

may god or something of that nature have mercy on all your souls.

posted by: LaurieO on March 26, 2011  6:10am

Mitch helped me become a cyclist. Whenever I stopped in the shop, he was quick with a friendly greeting and encouraging words. By example, he made me want to join the New Haven cycling community. That community has lost a shining light.

posted by: Hope on March 26, 2011  9:40am

Though I only knew Mitch from afar, I always liked to see him at Fuel or Devil’s Gear—his gentle and funny demeanor reminded me of some of the best aspects of this city, a place where people can live in their own way, make art, find friends, make community.  My most heartfelt condolences to the many people who knew and loved him.

What a tragedy.

posted by: N on March 26, 2011  10:31am

To all of the people who say “He wasn’t exactly living in a low-crime neighborhood”, I say “rubbish” — Basset St. is in a leafy, almost suburban area. Let’s not use this as an excuse to bash Newhallville.

RIP Mitch — this is a tragedy — you were always so sweet.

posted by: Livesinfairhaven on March 26, 2011  10:58am

Rest In Peace buddy. Sorry. I did not know Mitch but obviously many people did. I’m saw a press conference on NHR and apparently the house was specifically targeted but NHPD is not saying why right now. The poor guy was just executed, period. Was it a hate crime? I’m with Sherri44, I want to see this guy caught and answer for this.

posted by: Dick Hill on March 26, 2011  11:25am

My condolences to his family and all of his friends.
From a friend to his father.
Dick Hill in Sweden

posted by: Steve Mattson on March 26, 2011  11:26am

I just got word of this and I’d just met him for the first time.  He was just in LA visiting family last week and had stopped in to the Bikerowave and we’d had a chat.  He gave me his card…
He told me he’d been thinking of moving back to LA, and wanted to help us out.  Awesome, I thought.  Whether that was going to happen or not, it is always nice to find a kindred cyclist.
I’m sad.  I feel the loss.  It’s unfair.  I’m angry.
It’s hard to find words that apply.  My heart goes out to all his friends and family.

posted by: Barbara & Ron Goldman on March 26, 2011  11:45am

We are so profoundly shocked and deeply, deeply saddened to hear this news of Mitchell’s death.  We love this family and hope that the countless friends and acquaintances that learn this terrible news can bring them some comfort in the days and weeks to come.  The Goldman & Craig families

posted by: jtsterling999 on March 26, 2011  12:01pm

What a senseless violent act to a beautiful person.  He was a bright light in our studio - a friend of everyone.  When will we, as a society, get past this brutalized age of guns and mindless acts of evil.

posted by: Joe Jeffery on March 26, 2011  12:56pm

Hey, Mitch, goodbye, man.  Even just as a random customer at DG, I’m so sad to hear this that I don’t know what to say.  Glad I got to hear that crazy stuff on Warren’s mixtape on Wednesday.  My condolences to your family and friends, to everyone at DG.  Some people radiate peace and goodwill.  You were one of them.

posted by: Hill on March 26, 2011  1:11pm

These comments are disgusting. People should lay back. Im sure Mitchell was a good person. Unfortunately, this is how people react to killings in New Haven. If you think these comments are bad, you should see the comments about Black and Hispanic people who are killed in this city. Race and demographics are huge and play a major role when people rationalize murder in this city. The fact that Mithcell was white is initially shocking. The fact that he lived and was killed in the “Ville” makes his murder seem less shocking. Why is that? People, regardless of their race or where they live, do not deserve to be murdered period. This is America and people should be able to live where they want without fear of being murdered.

posted by: fairhavendoc on March 26, 2011  2:37pm

Mitch and I couldn’t have been more different, but our orbits often crossed at Fuel, Devil’s Gear, and other places around town.  I have great respect for the values and character he possessed and will miss seeing him around.  This is a great loss for this town…he is the reason many of us love this place.  Let’s keep our wheels spinning forward for him.

posted by: KRISTIE SPAIN on March 26, 2011  3:11pm

Rest in peace Mitch….god only wants the best and us earthlings just aren’t good enough! You will be missed but never forgotten!

posted by: Paris on March 26, 2011  3:19pm

Mitch was a fantastic, loveable and funny person from my interactions with him. He was always a ‘friend of a friend’. I am shocked to hear this news. My condolences to his close friends and family, I wish I had gotten to know him better during my high school years. RIP.

posted by: JMS on March 26, 2011  4:03pm

Was out of town working all week and am just reading about this awful story. I never met you but from one old bike wrench to another may you RIP.

JMS
(LaChance/Cheshire/D’Aniello’s)

posted by: sam on March 26, 2011  8:36pm

I didn’t know him, but everywhere I go I’ve been hearing stories about what agood man he was. Impressive for 23, a lot of people live their whole lives and fall short. Well done.

posted by: chris murray on March 26, 2011  8:59pm

As has been said in many posts, Mitch was as nice as a guy as there is.  He was always smiling, active, enthusiastic, fun, friendly, and into things.

At times like these we all want to ask why, and asking why is important, but what someone posted about celebrating his life rather than mourning feels right on the money to me.  While he was here Mitch always brought good vibes and made people around him feel good.

For those who knew Mitch, the feeling of loss is inevitable, but appreciating the gain that we experienced through what he brought to our lives was his gift to us and can never be taken away.

posted by: A Mom in Boca Raton Florida on March 27, 2011  12:04am

I send my condolences to Mitch’s family. My son, Jared, always invited the band, Flaming Tsunamis, to stay over at our house when in South Florida over the last several years. I want his mom to know Mitch was always welcome in our home and that I always enjoyed having smoothies, pancakes, bagels, waiting for them the next morning…
As a parent I supported these young men knowing it is every parent’s prayer when they were on the road that they would be safe and treated well while LIVING their life. God Bless and my sincere heartfelt sympathy. Your son touched many hearts.

posted by: L.D. on March 27, 2011  2:58am

I have to say this. Looking at the picture of Mitch, and reading this article, people really need to pay attention to the area they move into. This is a high crime area. This guy did not deserve this, however, the mentality of people in the streets who’s self proclaimed career is to rob folks do not care about who you are. They just want to take what you have and if they are heartless enough, they will take your life too. If one wants to lower their risks of being robbed, killed, mugged, raped…, watch the neighborhood you move into. Of course this could happen anywhere, but high crime areas are high in crime for a reason.

posted by: Veteran Cop on March 27, 2011  6:31am

I’m shocked and saddened. I see crime everyday but it always happens to someone else, and lacks such violence. Not a familiar face, and not so outrageous.

speechless

posted by: Paul Bass on March 27, 2011  9:54am

In response to people who feel this happened because Mitchell moved into Newhallville:

I live in Westville. One early evening a young man with a gun held up my wife, a friend, and me a block from our house. He could have pulled the trigger just as the guy pulled the trigger on Mitchell. (I’m grateful he didn’t!) Yes, some places obviously have more crimes than other places. But violent crime, random, awful, crime, can happen anywhere, including Cheshire.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/at_gunpoint_reporter_misses_the_details/

posted by: Anne Cherry on March 27, 2011  10:21am

Another event that makes one feel the balance of the world is tipping to the dark side.

posted by: anon on March 27, 2011  11:55am

There is a $150,000.00 reward for info leading to the killer of Suzanne Jovin (a Yale student who was writing about Osama bin Laden long before 9/11).

Why no reward for info in this case, or other recent killings?

posted by: Barrie on March 27, 2011  12:55pm

Mitch was a wonderful person who didn’t deserve this.

To everyone saying about the high-crime area - I’m sorry, but that means absolutely NOTHING.

I live in Brooklyn, but, in probably one of the nicer/safest/more upscale neighborhoods in this borough. Two or three years ago, there was a murder just two blocks from my house, also similarly where the neighbors’ home was broken into and someone was shot to death.

In 2003 I was mugged, on the street in broad daylight in front of a Blockbuster video on a busy, commercial street in an equally “safe” neighborhood not too far away. Just last week even an arrest was made at the subway station in that very same area.

On the other side of the coin, I’ve walked around in some of the “bad” parts of Brooklyn even late at night and seen nothing/have had nothing happen. Every crime I’ve ever witnessed/heard of/or been a part of has happened in a “low-crime” area.

This type of stuff can happen ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. Based on the videos/news clips, Mitch/Andy/etc’s neighbors seem like lovely, nice people. “Poor” neighborhoods don’t automatically mean bad or “high crime”.

posted by: jessica on March 27, 2011  5:22pm

Such a horrible thing to happen to such a wonderful person! You will be missed <3

posted by: Charlie O'Keefe on March 27, 2011  10:39pm

My condolences to this young man’s family. A tragic loss.

posted by: anonymous on March 27, 2011  11:49pm

I hate guns.  this is terrible.

posted by: armed liberal on March 28, 2011  12:11am

I am a liberal, and I am legally armed. More of us should think about it living here. Seriously. Obviously. This could have been avoided, and an armed criminal would have been shot instead of a decent human being.

posted by: Ciarrai on March 28, 2011  12:40am

This truly sucks. He sounds like a wonderful kid. What kind of savage could do this? Condolences to all who knew and loved him.

posted by: NoAnGel on March 28, 2011  2:43am

I cannot believe the petty comments i see here. This man lost his life because he tried to help the community simple as that. The city of new haven…. Connecticut….. the world as a whole has gone mad.

posted by: anon on March 28, 2011  7:09am

This seems to be one of those random crimes that you read about in the papers in Chicago, New York, DC, LA or Philly. If you read the papers, you read these senseless stories quite often in our big cities- lawyers, hipsters, baristas, judges, young mothers coming home from work or a cafe and dragged into an alley and shot to death for no apparent reason. But still, one doesn’t expect a tragedy like this in a smaller city like New Haven.  When these crimes happen to young persons, it is an enormous loss of human potential, and that’s especially clear in this case. The world is much poorer after losing Mitch but was much richer to have him here briefly. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again here for a very long time.

posted by: Marc Streiff on March 28, 2011  9:42am

My condolence’s, knowing Matt Feiner from when we used to ride when I lived in new Haven early 90’s.
I have never met Mitchell Dubey but I would have liked to have known him.
My best wishes to his family.

posted by: Johan on March 28, 2011  11:46am

RIP ! 

your music will never die!

posted by: Linda on March 28, 2011  12:35pm

NHI, PLEASE SOME ANSWERS!  Please follow up on this murder, and the others still under investigation! 
RIP.

posted by: NoAngel on March 28, 2011  2:17pm

Understand that this is the birthplace of GWB. New haven is well schooled on the art of war. The police can’t do anything so what do they do? Find the most innocent victim to make an example of him to spark fear in the non minority community. Well here’s a news flash nine people I know have been murdered in the past year and the non minority community could care less. Now that it’s hitting close to home now you are alarmed. I have been robbed,pistol whipped and shot at in westville so don’t act like this couldn’t happen anywhere. Mitch is a victim of ignorance and incompetence of new haven police and their boss destefano. I stood up at a town hall meeting which he didn’t attend and told my story and they acted like it was a joke and it will continue to be until we as a community take a stand against the oppression that causes this to begin with

posted by: streever on March 28, 2011  3:27pm

NoAngel:
The outpouring of grief and support is not what I would call “being alarmed”, nor does it have anything to do with race.

Mitch simply had a very positive impact on thousands—literally thousands—of people. A very close, immediate, personal effect. Perhaps you met Mitch or knew him, and were aware of how kind and compassionate he was—the way he immediately made you feel special to him—the way he instantly made a personal connection to you.

That is why so many people are alarmed. Not because of propaganda by police or any of the other variables you mention—but purely because we knew Mitch, and we will miss him deeply.

posted by: Noangel on March 28, 2011  4:16pm

Yes I see the greif and support but what I also see are alot of ” oh it’s newhall” and ” these animals who live there” comments and in case you didn’t catch what I was saying here it is again….. I have lost 9 friends in the past year all the family and friends grieved but then just moved on like nothing happened because we have no choice but to prepare for the next funeral because no one will take a stand and get involved. Mitch passing should be a wake up call to the entire community white, black or brown to come together instead of letting it divide us…... Do not let his death be in vain he tried to help but he couldn’t do it alone time for us to pick up where he left off.

posted by: streever on March 28, 2011  4:57pm

Fair enough, NoAngel. Personally, I’m just trying to not read the comments bashing Newhallville or equating it with other issues, because I’m just upset Mitch is gone. You are right though, that people of all races must work together to build our communities and protect each other.

posted by: andy on March 28, 2011  8:01pm

To all who knew Mitch on the West Coast. There will be a benefit show in Pomona, CA tentatively April 16th at Aladdin’s Jr. Line-up will be announced as soon as everything is finalized. Come out, donate, and celebrate his life. You can contact Nate at SOS Booking on Facebook for more information.

Midnight Ridazz, a bike group Mitch road with in LA will also be doing a memorial ride for him as well.

posted by: advocates of peace on March 28, 2011  10:08pm

enough, let’s just put it this way:  If you’re not on here to say how you’re going to improve your life on behalf of mitch, how much you’re going to miss him, or how much you cared about the kid..  even how much you wished you could have met him, or known him, then shut up.  especially if you’re on here just to make racist remarks.  mitch wasn’t stupid.  neither are his room-mates. they live there because they tolerate and accept all people.  it’s a message we need to share.  and now, more then ever, it’s time for peace.  it’s time to preach it, live it, and believe it. 

that’s what mitch would want, so make him proud. 
I’m going to stop following up on this comment board now. 

i will also say this about newhallville: 

everyone says it’s such a dump, right?  Well there are some of the most productive and well-kept community gardens on starr street, right near his house.  those people aren’t stupid either.  have you ever thought that maybe a population displaced can lose trace of their roots?  what if, perhaps, by chance, they came from an agrarian society?  maybe this roman empire business doens’t make sense to them.  Let them farm.  Give them real land, where they can grow food.  Let these people eat and give them real freedom.  This capitalist system is a financial prison to those people in Newhallville.  Give people freedom, and we will have peace.

posted by: james thomas on March 29, 2011  11:02am

I just want to re-focus this discussion on the loss of a terrific young man.  Yes, we should celebrate his life, and many will mourn this senseless loss.  Issues about New Haven and the non-minority are important.  But we have lost a young soul who had touched many lives.  It is his memory we must cherish and honor.  Any atrocity such as this, committed on anyone, any race, anywhere in the world diminishes us all as people.  If a motivation comes from this action for people to strive to improve the community, that is a great goal that honors the memory of Mitch.  May we all become better through his example.

posted by: Nina on March 29, 2011  2:02pm

Although I did not personally know Mitch, I wanted to send my condolences to his family and friends.  This is such a terrifying tragedy, a truly senseless act of violence. 

I also just had to point out: after reading through these comments I cannot remember a time where I have seen more people saying “I only met him once but…”  This kid must have been so special, even people who interacted with him for 15 minutes last year remember how wonderful he was.  As others have already said (many times over), the world needs more people like Mitchell Dubey.

posted by: AK on March 30, 2011  7:19pm

Mitch was so kind hearted and always willing to help out. I went to school with him since elementary school and just lived around the corner from him growing up. We were in drama together at Pali High. My condolences to the Dubey Family. Mitch’s never ending enthusiasm and energy will be missed!

posted by: SSG on March 31, 2011  1:58am

How terrible!! I don’t know him and my heart is so sadden for him and his family. What the hell is wrong with people and this city. When does it stop?

I live in a so called nice area and yet I still hear gun shots ring off in the distance. It’s incredibly unnerving. This city needs to do something. Hearing this stuff happening to nice innocent people really breaks me heart and pisses me off.

Love to you Dubey,  family and friends.

posted by: Wynn Marlow on April 4, 2011  11:48pm

I met Mitch at a read-through for the cast of a youth theater musical version of “A Christmas Carol”. Mitch was cast as The Ghost of Jacob Marley. My daughter Molly was cast as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Mitch’s energy leaped out at me that night. His performance in the play was wonderful, and he and Molly became friends. She is at Emerson now, BFA Musical Theatre, and we have both been sad and crying since we heard. We don’t understand…...!

posted by: Mia on April 18, 2011  1:55am

Mitch, you helped make my bike great.  You were a friendly, cool guy who was really helpful and I always smiled when I saw you around Wooster Square.  I’m so sorry this happened.