At least one bar in downtown Hartford has come under fire as the investigation into the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Camden Siegal examines whether establishments in the area were in compliance with the state’s liquor laws.
Authorities have yet to comment on where they believe Siegal was coming from when he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in front of the Dark Horse Saloon at 181 Ann Ucello St. on Sunday just before 1:50 a.m., but spokespersons for both the Hartford Police Department and the state Department of Consumer Protection’s Liquor Control Division say the agencies are assisting one another. The bar was previously known as the Rocking Horse Saloon and is just a few doors down from The Lady, another bar and nightclub.
Neither business immediately returned a request for comment on Thursday.
“We will continue offering support to the Hartford Police Department, the lead agency in this investigation, and the city of Hartford and are prepared to take further action if requested or supported by investigative findings,” a DCP spokesperson said in a statement.
When reached for comment Thursday, Hartford police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said investigators are assisting the Liquor Control Division. He would not say where police believe Siegal was before the shooting, which also landed a second man in his 20s in the hospital in critical but stable condition.
“It is an open investigation, so I cannot provide further details at this time,” a DCP spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam told NBC Connecticut that any bar or club not following the law or maintaining safe premises would be met with “real enforcement.” He added that city officials would take it “very seriously” if any rules were broken in the lead up to an act of violence.
“I’ve spoken with the family and friends of the victim, and I remain committed to building a city where our young people and families feel safe and protected from reckless and dangerous behavior that has no place in our community,” Arulampalam said in a statement to the Courant. “Nightclubs and nightlife establishments have a fundamental responsibility to maintain safe environments and will not be permitted to overlook neighborhood security.”
Police have said they do not believe Siegal was targeted in the shooting. He died in an area hospital on Tuesday.
Siegal was a senior at Hall High School in West Hartford where he was an honors student who enjoyed soccer and lacrosse, an obituary said. He was set to graduate in the spring.
Siegal earned Central Connecticut Conference All-Academic honors as junior and senior in soccer and as a junior in lacrosse at Hall, according to the obituary.
“I am so saddened by the passing of Cam Siegal,” Keith Blum, Hall High School boys lacrosse coach, said in a statement to the Courant. “My heart and prayers go out to Cam’s family, friends and to everyone who knew him. I had the pleasure of coaching him since his freshman year. I am also very close with his family. His attitude, work ethic, and extreme kind nature will never be forgotten. Every player I coached liked Cam. He was the kid you wanted as your friend and your teammate. He will be deeply missed on the soccer and lacrosse fields, and I will continue to honor his legacy for years to come at Hall.”
The teen’s funeral services were set to take place Thursday morning at the Emanuel Synagogue Sanctuary at 160 Mohegan Drive. He was laid to rest at the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery at 1361 Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield.
“We are truly heartbroken by the loss of Camden Siegal,” West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said in a statement to the Courant. “He was a wonderful young man with deep roots in our community — a student, an athlete and a scholar — whose life touched so many. The death of any young person is an unimaginable tragedy. Our entire town is holding his family, friends and the Hall High School community in our hearts, and we will continue to surround them with care and support in the days ahead.”
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Arulampalam urged anyone with information to contact Hartford police through the department’s tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
Information from Courant reporter Sean Krofssik was used in this report.