Authorities in Hartford said the parents of a 4-month-old baby were fatally shot during a dispute with a neighbor over a dog. According to NBC Connecticut, the fatal incident happened at an apartment on Father’s Day night.
The couple, identified as Chase Garrett, 39, and 27-year-old Christina Dang, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third person who was also shot was taken to the hospital. Her condition was listed as critical on Monday.
Authorities said the unidentified woman and the deceased couple stayed at the apartment where the shooting happened. Dang’s sister also said the deceased couple relocated to Hartford to live closer to Garrett’s family and also bring up their four-month-old baby.
RELATED STORIES
“She just had him in February and she was trying to do better for herself and for her family,” Dang’s cousin, Olivia Anderson, said.
Hours before the fatal incident, Garrett took to Facebook to share a Father’s Day message as well as a photo of him and his son, New York Post reported. “My first Father’s Day,” he wrote.
“Never thought I would be a Father … but I’ll try and be the best dad I can be … taught me and teaching me so much! My lil Angel … literally,” Garrett shared with a video of his son.
Police said the Department of Children and Families has taken custody of the deceased couple’s son.
“Christina was my baby sister. She was a beautiful soul full of life. She was a mother to a four-month-old Chosen and she lost her life over a senseless argument,” Dang’s sister told NBC Connecticut. “It’s hard for a child to lose two parents on the same night and on Father’s Day, a day that should be loved and, you know.”
Police said they have since identified a person of interest in the case, adding that they also found a car the person of interest possibly drove to leave the scene of the shooting. Police also said they’re working on locating the individual.
Police Chief Jason Thody also said the shooting possibly stemmed from a minor dispute over a dog.
“I can’t say it enough, we have to find better ways to resolve our conflicts in non-violent ways. It is frustrating for the officers because these are difficult to predict and difficult to prevent,” Thody said.
