Hartford Police Hunt Armed Suspect After Fatal Shooting of Mother and Infant

Hartford, CT — Authorities are urgently searching for 23-year-old Lance “Macho” Morales, considered armed and extremely dangerous, after a tragic shooting on Tuesday afternoon left a young mother and her infant son dead. The double homicide has shaken the community and prompted a citywide manhunt.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. near New Britain Avenue, close to Hillside Avenue and Zion Street. According to police, a vehicle pulled alongside the victims’ car and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The victims, identified as 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, both of Springfield, Massachusetts, were rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to their injuries.

A third victim, a man in his 20s, was also shot and is currently recovering from his injuries. The driver of the victims’ car was unharmed. Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a vehicle.

Interim Hartford Police Chief Kenny Howell identified Morales as the suspect. Morales, whose last known address is in Waterbury, Connecticut, is believed to have fled in a white Infiniti Q-70 with Massachusetts license plate 3NEB35. Police warned that Morales might have access to other vehicles and should be approached with caution.

In a public statement, Chief Howell urged Morales to surrender, stating, “Lance, you have no other option but to hand yourself in to the Hartford Police Department for the horrific crimes you have committed. You have taken the lives of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate that in this city.”

The Hartford Police Department has asked anyone with information about Morales’ whereabouts to come forward immediately. Community members can contact the police anonymously, and tips are being prioritized to ensure a swift resolution to this devastating case.

This senseless act of violence has left the Hartford community mourning the loss of Jessiah Mercado and her baby boy, Messiah Diaz. As the investigation continues, authorities are working tirelessly to locate Morales and bring justice to the victims’ grieving family.