HSC Grad’s Alleged Murderer Arrested

A truck racing argument in Fair Haven led to a man shooting and killing 17-year-old High School in the Community graduate John Tubac — according to city cops who have now arrested the alleged murderer.

Police Chief Karl Jacobson and Assistant Police Chief Bertram Ettienne announced that arrest during a Wednesday morning press conference held on the third floor of police headquarters at 1 Union Ave. 

Standing alongside more than two dozen of Tubac’s quietly weeping family and friends, Ettienne said that, on Monday, city cops arrested a 25-year-old New Havener for allegedly shooting and killing Tubac on July 3.

Ettienne said that the suspect was arraigned in state court on Wednesday morning, and that he’s been charged with murder, criminal possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit. New Haven Det. Thomas Blaisdell took the lead on the three-month investigation.

“This is the first homicide solve of 2022,” Jacobson said about New Haven’s nine murders to date. He added that the department is ​“very close” to making arrests in ​“multiple, multiple cases” from this year, and he implored community members to come forward and work with the cops to close these cases.

“We need your help. We need your assistance,” Jacobson said. In the case of Tubac’s murder and the subsequent arrest, ​“the community gave us the information we needed to get this done.” He turned to Tubac’s family and friends beside him and, noting just how many people had showed up to Wednesday’s presser, added: ​“You see the impact John had on his family and the community.”

Here’s what happened, according to Ettienne: On July 3 at around 11 p.m., city police were dispatched to Poplar Street for the report of a person shot. They found Tubac sitting in a silver Ford 150 parked on Poplar Street. An ambulance transported him to the hospital where, a few days layer, ​“he would succumb to his injuries.”

Detectives later learned that an ​“unknown male” approached the Ford pickup truck and engaged Tubac in an argument, Ettienne said. He said that man ​“accused Mr. Tubac of racing his Ford pickup on Fillmore Street in front of his residence. Mr. Tubac denied the accusation. And then the male pointed a gun at Mr. Tubac and fired several shots, fatally striking him.”

After three months of interviews and reviewing of evidence, including videos, Blaisdell was able to secure an arrest warrant for the suspect on Monday, Ettienne said.

Tubac’s godparents, Rosaura and Amado Escorbort, thanked the cops for their work in making an arrest in this case — and reflected on the young man that Tubac was and was becoming when his life was taken from him.

“Growing up, he was full of life and laughter. He was full of joy,” Rosaura said. ​“He was always respectful, always kind, and, as with any typical teenager, on occasions he would make us challenged.”

Right up until his death, she continued, ​“he had dreams. He was trying to discover where his career would lead to. He had always said he wanted to work in law enforcement, a passion that he had about finding justice.” He also loved music, Rosaura said, and would talk about his hopes of performing in church alongside his mom and sister.

“He had a passion for being here,” Rosaura said as she used a tissue to wipe her tear-filled eyes, ​“but his heart was also home in Guatemala. So when we took him home to rest, it was not easy, because he was just beginning his life at 17.”

“We want to thank the police department,” she concluded, ​“for starting the process of justice for the family, for the friends, for the community.”

Watch Wednesday’s full press conference below.