Man accused of killing Windsor Locks teen is found guilty

A man accused of shooting a 16-year-old Windsor Locks High School student at a park in 2020 has been found guilty of murder.

Daniel Phillip Baez, 22, of Hartford, shot and killed the unarmed teen during an altercation at Pesci Park on June 24, 2020.

Windsor Locks school superintendent Shawn Parkhurst identified the victim as 16-year-old Elijah Ortega. Ortega was a member of the high school's basketball team.

Police said Baez and Ortega apparently knew each other and there had been prior disagreements and "animosities" between the two.

Witnesses told authorities that they saw Baez pull a gun out of a fanny pack. Ortega yelled for everyone to run and as he did, Baez allegedly shot him.

Baez was found guilty of murder on Oct. 6, 2023. He will be sentenced in the coming months.