Fatal shooting of New London teen remains unsolved
More than a month after a New London teen was shot and killed on a city street, police have not made any arrests or publicly identified a suspect.
Ronde Ford, 17, was fatally shot on Grand Street about 6 p.m. on Feb. 18. He was a New London High School student, a former football player and an aspiring rapper.
Ford’s death on a public street rocked the New London community — friends and family gathered to mourn at a candlelight vigil; a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $22,000 for his family; and Mayor Michael Passero, New London Police Department Chief Peter Reichard and Capt. Brian Wright held an emotional news conference in which they vowed to find the person responsible for his death.
Five weeks later, Ford’s father said he doesn’t have any answers about what happened to his son.
“We’re being patient,” James Ford said Wednesday. He said he hasn’t gotten any updates from police recently about where the investigation into his son’s death stands, but he’s OK with waiting.
“We’re not upset, we know that they have a job to do. It’s not like it is on TV, it’s not like 'The First 48' and it’s not like all hope is lost — it’s a process and they have to do their jobs,” he said.
In a phone call this week, Wright said that while police have not made any arrests in the case, investigators have identified persons of interest. “The investigation is progressing,” he said. “We’re gaining valuable intel and information as a result of different investigative techniques.”
Wright said there was no new information available at this time. He said new information would be announced to the news media and public as soon as possible.
Outside the Ford home on Prest Street, a shrine dedicated to Ronde Ford remained filled with photos and dozens of candles.
James Ford, a former youth league football coach, said he and his wife, Jamie, are patiently waiting for more information as they mourn their son. The parents have six other children — five boys and one girl.
Wright said he and other law enforcement officers had been in contact with Ford’s family and sympathized with their grief.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child, under any circumstance,” Wright said. “We’re doing the best we can.”
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