Hartford

Man Dead After Being Shot While Driving, Crashing Car Into Fence in Hartford

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A man is dead after being shot while behind the wheel and crashing into a fence in Hartford Thursday night.

The crash happened in the area of 539 Hillside Ave. at about 5:30 p.m.

Police said they believe there was an attempted hit-and-run in the Flatbush Avenue area. A man's car was rear-ended and when the suspect tried to flee, he followed them.

That's when a passenger in the suspect car got out and shot at the man, identified as 23-year-old Manuel Rodriguez, of Hartford, resulting in a gunshot wound to the head. He crashed the car shortly after, according to police.

Fire officials said they responded and found a man that was unresponsive. Rodriguez was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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Officers have located the suspect vehicle, but they're still looking for the people responsible.

A female passenger in the car wasn't shot and is believed to have non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said it was a targeted attack. The death marks the city's 33rd homicide this year.

Major Crimes detectives are at the scene and are surveying the area to see if anyone witnessed what happened.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 860-722-8477.

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