HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Hartford police have officially classified a suspicious death as a homicide after discovering a body on Saturday morning.
The investigation began around 7:06 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a body found on Pope Park Highway.
The Hartford Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Unit were on-site, where they located the body of 18-year-old Edgar Jose, a Hartford resident, wrapped in a comforter.
The body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office, which confirmed that the victim had died from gunshot wounds.
Authorities believe the body had been left at the scene approximately 24 hours before it was discovered.
As the investigation unfolded, police determined the crime had occurred the previous day inside an apartment at 158 Magnolia Street.
Detectives followed leads and located the suspect's vehicle driving on Park Terrace.
The driver, identified as 17-year-old Sender Soto-Veliz, was arrested and charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the second degree.
Soto-Veliz was charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the second degree.
Soto-Veliz is being held on a $500,000 bond.
"I'm familiar with this area where we come together as a community, so it's shocking. Kids played over there too so it's terrible," said Ashley Patterson from Hartford.
Despite this homicide, the capital city has seen a 53% reduction in murders from last year.
The Hartford Police Department has asked anyone with relevant information to come forward as they continue to piece together the circumstances of the incident.