Case Profiles #94
Tafar Lewis
Tafar Lewis was known to be an overall good kid who had an infectious smile and a wildly fun sense of humor. He was kind, hardworking, and a good friend who truly loved his family more than anything. When he wasn’t hanging out with his friends on the basketball court, he was working on his music goals. Known locally as June Valentino, Tafar had aspirations to become a rapper and often loved spending his time writing and recording music. He was gaining traction locally and actively pursuing his dreams daily. On July 2nd, 2019, 18-year-old Tafar was with his friends celebrating the Fourth of July at the annual fireworks display in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was just after 10:25 p.m. when suddenly, according to witnesses, several gunshots rang out. It is believed that roughly six shots were fired.
When the dust cleared, Tafar was found wounded from the gunshots in the middle of Gage Street. He died of his injuries at the hospital. On April 3rd, 2026, almost seven years after he was killed, Juan Otero, Juan Ruiz, and Mugisha Jean-Bosco were all arrested and charged with murder. 26-year-old Juan Ruiz was arraigned and is being held without bail. The other two, Juan Otero and Mugisha Jean-Bosco, were both already serving time for other unrelated crimes. Due to the recent arrests in the case, there still has not been any trial dates set for the three men to face the charges for the murder of Tafar Lewis.
Shevron Wilson
17-year-old Shevron Wilson was a native of Jamaica who had been attending school there within the previous year. He loved all kinds of music and playing basketball, and he had played basketball for Achievement First Hartford High School. His father, Everet Wilson, said that despite being a teenager and most teenagers becoming less affectionate and more distant with their parents, Shevron was still incredibly sweet and loving, never hesitating to hug and kiss his mom and dad. On April 13th, 2025, at around 11:20 a.m. just outside of his home on Barker Street in Hartford, Connecticut, Shevron was fatally shot by two teenage boys attempting to rob him. It’s believed that both boys knew him. Several days later, police used video surveillance footage around the area that showed a car that was suspected to have been involved. An officer spotted the sedan at Vine and Mather streets on the other side of town and called it in as the car was stolen in a carjacking. When the driver and the passenger, two teenage boys, saw police, they both abandoned the car and tried running away but were apprehended when officers chased them down.
Inside of the car was the gun believed to have been used to fatally shoot Shevron. The two teenage boys, ages 16 and 14, were arrested on multiple charges including the murder of Shevron. As the 16 year old’s case was moved up to the adult courts, his identity was released as Juliano Gonzalez. He is the one who is believed to have fired the fatal shots and was charged with carrying a weapon without a permit and illegal discharge of a firearm in addition to other charges shared by the 14-year-old including felony murder, weapons in a vehicle, interfering with police, first-degree larceny for the car theft and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. In January of 2026, Juliano Gonzalez was sentenced to 20 years in jail. This sentence would be suspended after 10 years served, followed by five years of probation. This sentence came after he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and first-degree robbery with a firearm. Legal proceedings are ongoing.
At Shevron’s candlelit vigil after his murder, Reverend Henry Brown of Mothers United Against Violence spoke, directing a lot of his words at the other young people present. He stated, “This young man never should have been shot dead in front of his house. What kind of stuff is that? That is darkness. There really is no reason for him to be gone today. Everybody in Hartford should be pissed off about what happened to this young man. You all got to take care of each other. These streets don’t love you. Do something in his name. Don’t die in the streets. Let’s honor him by trying to stop the killing in the streets.”
Image sources:
masslive.com - “Tafar Lewis identified as victim of fatal Worcester shooting following Fourth of July fireworks; 18-year-old was rapper who went by ‘June Valentino’”
ctinsider.com - “Vigil honors 17-year-old Hartford shooting victim: ‘There really is no reason for him to be gone’”