Police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the shooting of his 16-year-old girlfriend in Hartford early Tuesday morning and he is being held on $2 million bond.
Hartford police said officers responded to an undisclosed address in Hartford at 12:38 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a shooting and found a 16-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was taken to a hospital for treatment, where she was listed in critical, but stable condition. Police said Wednesday that her condition has been upgraded to stable condition.
The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions developed a suspect and obtained a warrant.
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Police identified the suspect as Jayzon Gunter, 18, of Hartford.
An arrest warrant obtained by NBC Connecticut says that the 16-year-old girl was shot point blank to the head, and she was on a FaceTime call with another girl when it happened.
Gunter also allegedly strangled the girl with an iPhone charging cord, and it got stuck on an earring, leaving her ear purple in color, according to the warrant.
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Authorities say the argument stemmed from an Instagram message to Gunter's "baby's mother," the warrant reads.
In a press conference Wednesday, Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert described the incident as "very violent" and a "cowardly act."
Members of the Hartford Police Fugitive Task Force, Violent Crimes Unit, Emergency Response Team and Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force found him on Tuesday evening and took him into custody.
There was already a warrant out for his arrest on unrelated charges, according to officials.
Gunter has been charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal attempt strangulation in the third degree, unlawful discharge of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to police.
When he appeared in court on Wednesday, one count of assault was added.
Police said on Wednesday morning that the suspect and victim are boyfriend and girlfriend. A protective order has been issued.
A public defender was appointed to represent Gunter and said he lives with his mother in Meriden.
The attorney asked for the bond to be lowered to $500,000, but it remains at $2 million. Gunter is due back in court on Oct. 30.
