Warrant details events that led to New London murder
Nineteen year-old Jamir Johnson allegedly pulled out a .380 caliber handgun and shot a man in the head in a basement apartment on Orchard Street in New London last December, then fled after telling witnesses not to say anything, according to a document unsealed recently in New London Superior Court.
The victim, 21-year-old Quvonte Andre Gray, who was also known as "Q," had been taunting Johnson, and had followed him and another man into the apartment wearing brass knuckles, according to the affidavit.
Shot at close range, Gray died from a single gunshot to the left side of the forehead, according to Dr. Frank Evangelista from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Evangelista told police he had removed a hollow point bullet from a .380 caliber weapon from the base of Gray's skull and that Gray was wearing brass knuckles on his right hand.
Details of the Dec. 9, 2017 shooting death are contained in an arrest warrant affidavit written by New London Police Detective Christopher Kramer.
Johnson was charged in August with murder, possession of a pistol without a permit and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He is being held at the Manson Youth Institution in lieu of a $1.5 million bond. The warrant remained sealed until his most recent court appearance, where Johnson waived his right to a probable cause hearing and entered a not guilty plea. He is due back in court on Jan. 7.
Johnson had fled the area following the homicide, but was captured on July 31 by police in Plymouth County, Mass., who charged him with breaking into houses and burglarizing 54 cars.
One witness to the shooting said Johnson was walking on Orchard Street with another man when Gray came out of his house and began taunting them. Johnson said, "Why are you looking at me?" and "You don't know me," and Gray said, "You don't know me," and "I don't care who you are," according to the affidavit.
The witness said Gray reached into his pocket and put what looked like brass knuckles on his hands. He said Johnson and the other man went into the apartment at 123 Montauk Ave., which has an entrance on Orchard Street.
Gray pushed his way into the Montauk Avenue apartment, where witnesses said Johnson shot him in the head.
A Florida resident, Gray frequently visited New London and stayed in the city for extended periods, according to police.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
