Two 18-Year-Old New Haven Men, 20-Year-Old From East Haven, Face Myriad Felony Firearm Charges: NHPD

NEW HAVEN, CT—Three young men, two age 18 and one age 20, were charged with myriad felony gun possession charges by New Haven police.

On Aug. 26 at around 7:30 p.m. the Criminal Intelligence Unit, the Shooting Task Force, and the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the New Haven Police Department were in Newhallville "conducting a crime suppression detail," when they tried to stop three men on Bassett Street by Dixwell Avenue.

"The men fled the area, but shortly thereafter officers located them walking on the Farmington Canal line," police said. "They again attempted to run but were caught after a short foot pursuit."

Identified as Damian Cepeda, 20, of East Haven, Marquise McNeil, 18, of New Haven, and D'Shawn Coleman, 18, of New Haven, all three were each found to be in possession of handguns, police said. Specifically, all the firearms were 'ghost guns,' which did not have serial numbers, police said. The weapon found on McNeil also had a switch installed, which allows it to fire as an automatic weapon, police said.

Cepeda and Coleman were each charged with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of an unserialized firearm, possession of a high-capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit, and interfering with police, court records show.

McNeil was charged with possession of an unserialized firearm, possession of a high-capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a fire rate enhancer, possession of an assault weapon, and interfering with police, court records show.

All three are being held at the New Haven Correctional Center on $250,000 bonds, records show.

“August has been an incredibly challenging month for the community and the New Haven police department," New Haven Chief of Police David Zannelli said. "Proactive arrest, like these, not only demonstrates the dangers our officers face every day but also the continuous efforts being made to keep the community safe."