28-Year-Old To Serve 35 Years In Prison For Fatal Shooting During 2023 'Illegal Firearm Sale:' Prosecutor

NEW HAVEN, CT—A 28-year-old New Haven man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in the death of Tyrese Blue, Jr., 26, of New Haven, State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., said.

Lewis Santiago will also serve 10 years of special parole upon his release from prison, Doyle said.

In July, Santiago pleaded guilty in Superior Court to felony murder and criminal possession of a firearm, Doyle said.

"The defendant's change of plea coincided with what would have been the first day of jury selection for his criminal trial," Doyle said. "The underlying incident involved the October 14, 2023 shooting death of the victim during an illegal sale of a firearm."

In a news release, Doyle extended his "condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Blue, many of whom attended the sentencing and delivered victim-impact statements about the loss of their loved one."

Doyle also thanked lead Detective Gregory Dash of the New Haven Police Department and many of his fellow law enforcement officers who investigated the case.