Two homicides and a shooting in New Haven on Wednesday are connected, police said on Thursday afternoon and the department is increasing patrols.

Police have not said how the shootings are connected other than that the victims are connected.

"These shootings are not random. They are not about the neighborhoods or the good people who live and work in them. The three victims are connected," Police Chief Dean Esserman said in a statement.

The first shooting happened at 12:29 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police responded to a shooting outside of 85 South Genessee Street in the McConaughy Terrace public housing complex and found Brian Gibson, 23, of New Haven, police said. An ambulance rushed him to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he died from his wounds.

Police said they have a description of the suspected shooter and are looking for a man seen running from the scene. He is in his late teens to early 20s. His hair was braided and he was wearing a blue and white baseball cap.

The second homicide and third shooting both happened at 10:28 p.m.

Police responded to 295 Division Street and found Errol Marshal, 19, of New Haven, on the front porch. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.

Around the same time, police responded to 169 Shelton Avenue, a block away, and found Courtney Jackson, 25, also of New Haven, suffering from gunshot wound to the abdomen, police said.

An ambulance rushed him to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he is in stable condition, according to New Haven police. The wound is not believed to be life-threatening.

No arrests have been made.

Teams of detectives from the department's Major Crimes Division, Shooting Task Force, Intelligence Unit and Bureau of Identification are developing many leads in these cases, police said. 

Anyone who witnessed the shootings should call police at 203-946-6304 to speak with a detective.

New London police are looking for the person who shot a 19-year-old local man in the foot early Friday morning.

Police responded to Jay Street at 12:25 a.m. after someone called 911 to report a possible shooting and said someone was being carried down the street.

Officers found Jose Rosado, of Crystal Avenue, suffering from a gunshot wound to the foot. He was transported to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Investigators said they found several .40-caliber shell casings at the scene.

Police are looking for the shooter. They do not have a name of a suspect, but the man was wearing a white tank top and walking across the street with a large group of people when Rosado was shot, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call New London Police detectives at 860-447-1481.
 

People across the state spent yesterday at the beaches, trying to stay cool, and the shoreline is expected to be crowded again today.

The forecasted high is 95 degrees inland.

It will be a nice day at the shore, with highs of 86 degrees and a water temperature of 73 degrees.

Excessive heat advisories are in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.  in Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, so bring water if you will be outside for extended periods.

We want to see how you are celebrating this summer. Send your photos to photos@nbcconnecticut.com.

Revelers at Key West's Key Lime Festival are hoping a massive Key Lime Pie is big enough for the record books.

The gargantuan pie, which measured 8-feet, 1-inch in diameter, was unveiled Thursday at the annual South Florida Independence Day event.

Organizers documented the dessert for submission to the Guinness Book of World Records, who will have to certify whether it's the world's largest.

"People like to say nothing's more American than apple pie, but down here in the Florida Keys, we like to say nothing's as Keysey as Key lime pie on the Fourth of July," said festival co-founder David Sloan, who created the giant Key lime pastry with three fellow chefs.

It took 5,760 Key limes, 200 pounds of graham crackers and 55 gallons of sweetened condensed milk to create the pie, which required a specially-made pan the size of a pickup truck.

Slices of the pie were sold to benefit the Key West Firehouse Museum.

The Key Lime Festival continues through Saturday with a Key lime pie-eating contest and "Miss Key Lime" pageants for children and adults.

Cheers and celebration turned to screams and confusion at the start of a Simi Valley fireworks show Thursday night as spectators realized something had gone wrong, igniting a ground-level explosion that sent debris and fireworks into the crowd.

James Wilhite, a front-row spectator at the show about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles in Rancho Santa Susana Park, was recording the start of the show -- greeted with "oohs" and "aahs." Those awed gasps stopped about three minutes into the show when what investigators believe was a malfunction involving a launching station scattered fireworks in several directions.

"That one row, all of the fireworks went off," said Wilhite. "They were actually aiming at us."

In a statement issued Friday morning, Simi Valley police said a portion of the crowd was about 800 feet -- more than the length of two football fields -- from the launch area. The first of the fireworks appeared to launch as planned, arching high into the night sky.

Wilhite's video then shows an explosion of light at ground level, and what appears to be a spark flashes in front of his camera. Children can be heard crying out for parents, who attempted to console them amid the confusion and darkness.

"There were some that went up in the air," said witness Michelle Rodriguez. "Everything just kind of scattered outwards. Then, everybody just started running. We felt the heat pull back toward us. That was it -- end of the show."

Other witnesses said they felt a concussion from the ground-level blast. Sharp pieces of debris rocketed into the crowd as spectators ducked for cover before backing away from the launch area.

Spectator Scott Nelson said people took cover in a process he described as "organized chaos."

"All of the sudden, everything exploded -- almost like a ground explosion," said Nelson, who lives near the park located south of the 118 Freeway near East Los Angeles Avenue. "The guests I had dove for cover. They were climbing over chairs, running out of the way.

"Some were going high, some were going a few feet, some were going 10 feet."

Spectators were allowed to return to the park Friday to retieve items left behind.

Dozens of specatators were injured, but not of the injuries are considered life-threatening. Police described the injuries as "consistent with shrapnel and projectile type" injuries.

A preliminary investigation indicated at least one of the launching stations fell and launched fireworks into the crowd.

"Although it is still unknown why the launching station fell over, there are no indications of foul play and it appears that this is an industrial type accident," Simi Valley police said in a statement. "Due to the indications that this is an industrial accident, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal OSHA) was notified."

Debris remained scattered on the soccer field early Friday as authorities continued the investigation. The area was blocked off as crews removed unexploded ordnance.

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

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A tractor-trailer driver who authorities said fell asleep at the wheel crashed into the woods on the side of Route 44 in Eastford, shutting down the road for several hours Friday afternoon. 

The tractor-trailer went off the road around noon Friday. Police said a woman had fallen asleep at the wheel.

The driver’s name has not yet been released. She is expected to be OK.

East Haven police are investigating a June 29 crash left two pedestrians injured and in unknown condition.

Police said a car struck the pedestrians around midnight June 29 near the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Hemingway Avenue.

They have not located the driver. There is no word on the condition of the pedestrians.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the East Haven Police Department at 203-468-3820.

A man was stabbed on Lexington Avenue around 9:45 p.m. Thursday night, police said.

Police responded to 74 Lexington Avenue following the report of a disturbance. There they found a man who had been slashed across the neck by neighbor.

The victim was treated by medical personnel. His injuries appeared to be non-life threatening, police said.

According to police, the suspect contacted officers Friday morning and said he and the victim had gotten into an argument that turned physical.

Investigators are following up with witnesses, police said.

A man who is serving a 9-month sentence for breach of peace escaped from a prison work detail for about two hours on Friday and is now back in custody.

Kenneth Lanier, age 50, walked away from an outside work detail at the Hartford Correctional Center on Friday, according to a statement from the state Department of Correction.

He was back in custody within two hours after authorities discovered he was missing, authorities said.

Local police apprehended Lanier around 11:30 a.m. when they saw him at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Lanier was sentenced to nine months at Hartford Correctional Center on May 24 for breach of peace, officials said. He was scheduled for release on December 19.
 

A portion of southbound I-95 was closed Thursday morning so police could look for a man's ear, The Free Lance-Star reports.

Officers were called to the scene just after 8 a.m. after a number of drivers reported seeing a man running in and out of traffic near mile marker 121 in Spotsylvania County.

The victim told police he and a friend got into a fight while driving through the county, and the friend bit the victim's ear off and threw it out the window.

A police spokesman told The Free Lance-Star the victim's entire ear was missing.

Police blocked a lane of the interstate and eventually found the ear on the shoulder of the road. The victim and his ear were taken to Mary Washington Hospital, where surgeons were attempting to re-attach it. There's no word on whether the attempt was successful.

The victim's friend, 31-year-old Floyd Warren of the Bronx, New York, was charged with malicious wounding.

Police have filed voyeurism charges after going through the cell phone and camera of a Waterbury man accused of taking pictures of young girls and a female lifeguard at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury on Thursday.

Law enforcement authorities downloaded John Miguel Mendez Calle's camera and cell phone on Friday and said they found many images of young girls, several of which were taken at beaches in addition to Quassy.  They also found video of a naked woman. 

Many of the images were of girls between 11 and 13 years old who were in bathing suits. The photos focused on their rear ends and chest areas, rather than their faces, according to police.

As investigators went through the contents of the recording devices, they realized that Calle appeared to be "clearly hiding in wooded areas as not to be seen."

They also found video of a naked woman that had been taken without her knowledge, police said. Authorities believe she is over the age of 18 and the video was likely taken in a bedroom. 

Police arrested Calle yesterday after a Quassy park guest notified the lifeguard on duty upon spotting a suspicious man allegedly taking pictures of the girls.

Calle was initially charged with interfering with an officer, second-degree forgery, criminal impersonation and breach of peace. The voyeurism charge was added on Friday. He appeared in court on Friday and is being held on $251,000 bond.

Police said they will more closely examine every video and image and the process will take several weeks to complete. 

He is due back in court in early August.

Police also said they believe Calle's in this country illegally and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has put a detainer order on him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Middlebury police at 203-577-4028.

Hartford police have arrested a man in connection with a June 2010 shooting that left one victim in a coma with serious lung and heart injuries.

According to police, on June 30, 2010, Edwin Darnell Kiser, 21, was shot three times at a 91 Barbour Street apartment. Kiser lost part of his lung, took a bullet to the heart and ended up in a coma for several days, police said.

Police identified the shooting suspect as Quinelle McKenzie, 19. McKenzie was arrested July 3, 2013 and charged with criminal attempt at murder and first-degree assault.

In 2011, McKenzie was convicted of first-degree assault for an unrelated incident. He was incarcerated in Aug. 2011 and is still in jail, according to the state Department of Correction and Hartford police.

McKenzie's latest bond is set at $750,000, police said.

The man Enfield police say assaulted a senior citizen in her home and then robbed her was in court Friday.

Toby Berthiaume, 37, of Enfield, faced a judge on charges that he entered the home of a 93-year-old with severe dementia and attacked her before stealing jewelry, money and a television.

Outside of Enfield Superior Court, Berthiaume’s parents said there was no way he could have done it.

“Anyone that knows Toby knows that he could not have touched a 90-year-old woman,” said his mother, Diane Berthiaume.

But that’s exactly what police believe Berthiaume, a father of one with a long history of armed robbery and assault charges, did on May 6, 2013.

According to Enfield police, the victim said a man came to her door with a package, hit her and pushed her down, then robbed her. Cameras at a Springfield, Mass. pawn shop located eight miles from the victim’s home show Berthiaume selling the stolen items 29 minutes after the victim called her daughter to tell her what had happened.

Cops also say Berthiaume and the victim live five houses apart.

“If my son did this horrible crime, do you think he would be around? Do you think he would have stuck around and come home every single night?” asked Berthiaume's mother.

The 93-year-old was not seriously injured, according to her grandson, Paul.

“She's doing well. Besides a few stitches and bumps and bruises, she's doing really well,” he said.

Neighbors think the assailant was casing the home and checking for cars in the driveway to determine when caregivers were with the elderly woman.

“Obviously someone knew the schedule of her and her family,” said Joe Quinn, who lives next door to the victim.

"We're disgusted by this man and hopefully justice will be served,” said the victim's grandson.

Berthiaume's family hopes police have the wrong man.

“We're just praying for this DNA to come back. Toby can't wait. He's in there [saying], ‘why hasn't the DNA come back yet… that will prove it wasn't me,’” said Berthiaume's father, Gary.

Berthiaume's next court date is July 19. He is currently in jail on $350,000 bond.

The latest unrest in Egypt could hit our bank accounts like the "Arab Spring" did in early 2011, causing gas prices to spike once again.

As of Friday, Connecticut had the fifth highest average gasoline price in the country, according to AAA. Connecticut gas prices climbed to $3.99 back in February, and drivers may see that number once again.

"I have two jobs, and one I deliver food," said Connecticut resident Chris Bruno. "I end up spending a lot of money on gas, so this hits me hard."

Gerry Katz, owner of Gerry's Shell Food Mart in New Haven, says he's already paying more due to the trouble in Egypt.

"My cost has gone up 25 cents in just a week," said Katz.

Katz said that if the unrest continues, drivers could end up paying $4 per gallon as soon as next week.

"What are you going to do though?" asked driver Bobby Vannaseng. "You've got to pay it. It's like air. We need it."

"It could go $5 a gallon," said Katz. "Egypt controls the Suez Canal, so God forbid there are disruptions at the Suez Canal."

With a state tax increase recently in place, oil costing more than $100 per barrel and summer travel bringing people to the streets, it's an equation for more pain at the pump.

Ernest Wallace, arrested in connection with the North Attleboro, Mass., murder of Odin Lloyd, was turned over to Massachusetts officials Friday afternoon at 1:46 p.m., authorities said.

Wallace, 41, turned himself in to police in Miramar, Fla. last week after he said he saw his name in a news report and learned there was a warrant for his arrest, according to police.

Wallace was wanted for accessory after the fact in the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who died in what police say was an execution-style killing. Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been arrested and charged with murder.

Wallace has been held at the Broward County Jail and will face charges in Massachusetts.

The Vatican has recently declared that Polish-born Pope John Paul II will be canonized, and for the Polish community, it's a moment of pride.

"I think that's a good idea because he was the best," said Harwinton resident Halina Odorczuk.

The election of Pope John Paul II made for the first non-Italian pope in over four decades. It was an emotional experience for many.

"I cried. We cried. Polish people cried," said Odorczuk.

The declaration of canonization is extra special for the Polish community in New Britain. Pope John Paul II visited the area while he was a cardinal.

"When he was elected pope, that gave a big uplift to the Polish community," said New Britain resident Stan Klukowski. "He did a lot of good both in terms of the Polish people, and I guess in many ways for the world."

"He visited the [Holy Cross] Church and the school, and we have memorials, plaques all over the school where he actually physically was before he became a pope," said Natalie Klimkiewicz, a preschool teacher at Pope John Paul II School.

Pope John Paul II died in 2005 at the age of 84. Known as the globe-trotting pope, he's seen as being instrumental in the fall of Eastern European communism.

While his progression to sainthood is one of the fastest in modern times, many say it couldn't have happened soon enough.

"He's a remarkable man, and he deserves to be a saint," said Klimkiewicz. "We've been praying for it all year."

Pope John XXIII will also be canonized.

The New London community is grieving after a six-year old boy drowned Thursday night.

Dive teams pulled the body of Anthony Bernoudy from the water at Green Harbor Beach around 11:30 p.m. He had been missing for more than five hours.

Investigators shut down the New London on Friday and inspected the water to look for problems. They couldn’t find any and said the water was safe.

“I don't even know what I should feel,” said Brian Lavoie, a friend of Bernoudy's mother.

Lavoie was one of dozens who watched dive teams pull the little boy from the Long Island Sound.

“He was everything to her,” Lavoie explained.

The boy had been celebrating the Fourth of July with his family. As they packed up to leave, someone noticed he was gone. Lavoie wondered how the six-year-old even ended up in the water.

"He's clingy; he likes to be around his mom. He doesn't wander off,” Lavoie said.

A makeshift memorial was set up outside the beach.

“We came to hang a teddy bear for our friend Anthony,” said Julie Cleary, whose children were friends with Bernoudy.

She said the boy was especially happy to play sports, and had just handed out his baseball picture the other day.

“He was fun, friendly and he hugged a lot and he played baseball,” Cleary said.

The drowning devastated the community. Bernoudy’s family is well known and respected in New London, residents said.

“It hurts a lot, and we miss him,” said Cleary.

A vigil was scheduled for Friday night.

The Green Harbor Beach area will reopen on Saturday.

An 8-month-old child is dead after his mother allegedly accidentally left him in a hot car all day while she was at work.

According to police, the Virginia woman drove to work in Arlington, forgetting she had left her baby in the car. When she left work Friday afternoon she saw her baby in the car and immediately drove to INOVA Alexandria Hospital just after 4 p.m. The baby was pronounced dead.

An investigation is pending.

Police recommend parents of young children are extra careful during hot summer months.

"Slow down and be careful... try not to let things get too busy," Lt. Mark Bergin with the Alexandria Police Department said.

Also on Friday, a 16-month-old girl died after being left in a car for about four hours in Baltimore.

According to KidsAndCars.org, every year, approximately 38 children die from being trapped inside hot cars.

Four teenagers suffered injuries after their red pick-up truck struck a tree in Lyme Friday evening.

The incident happened at the entrance to the Nehantic State Forest off Keeney Road shortly before 6:00 p.m.

The four teens, two boys and two girls, were headed to a swimming hole inside the Nehantic State Forest when the driver suddenly lost control and hit a tree. According to police, speeding was a factor in the crash.

Authorities said two of the teens are from East Lyme and the other two are from Waterford.

EnConn Police along with State Police are investigating the factors, but witnesses say it appeared that one of the males was ejected at the time of impact.

The teens were taken to area hospitals. Two went to Middlesex Hospital for evaluation and were later released. One female was taken to Hartford Hospital by helicopter. Her condition is unknown. A male was brought to Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is listed in serious to critical condition.

Apartments are going up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but your housemates definitely won't be the Obamas.

A developer petitioned the D.C. government to acquire the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast address, a ways away from the first family's Northwest abode.

The Southeast land is now home to a used car lot, but decades ago, it was a go-to haven for drug addicts. The 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE apartments are set to go up in 2015, and not everyone is impressed by the marketing scheme selling the famous address.

"I don't think it's funny," one Southeast resident told News4's Mark Segraves. "They're just throwing up places right now trying to inconvenience other people."

Tourists visiting the White House however have a different attitude.

"Oh wow! That sounds interesting" Lottie Polk said.

The developer tells News4 the 5-story building will look over the Anacostia River and will in no way resemble the White House.