Man convicted of murdering 15-year-old Hamden student

HAMDEN, CT — Jenigh Ward, 20, was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Hamden High School freshman in 2022, New Haven District Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. announced.

Ward, of Hamden, pleaded guilty to murder in June.

Ward's conviction stems from the murder of Elijah Gomez on May 9, 2022. On that day, Hamden Police responded to a report of a shooting on the Farmington Canal Trail near Treadwell Street.

Gomez, a freshman at Hamden High School, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead.

During the sentencing, the court heard from numerous members of Gomez's family who described the immense loss they had suffered, according to a press release.

Gomez's mother, Jennifer Cathcart, once spoke to Ward personally.

“I'm sad every day,” she said. “I feel miserable every day. They literally took my joy and happiness away from me and I can't get that back. I want to know why.”

Crystal Cathcart, Gomez's aunt, spoke about Gomez's life and legacy.

“Elijah may not be with us today, but his caring nature will live on forever through the charity we created as his legacy,” she said. “When people think of Elijah or learn his story, his legacy is that of a person who cared for others, who was kind and compassionate and who valued peace over hate. That is our family's mission.”

“I would also like to officially thank our dedicated contacts in the district attorney's office, the victims' advocates and, from the bottom of my heart, the Hamden Police Department. For many families, this chapter is not closed so quickly when they experience a murder. I and we are grateful for the work you do.”

The fatal shooting was captured by nearby surveillance cameras and showed Ward – along with two unidentified people – following Gomez as he walked home from school, the news release said.

“Ward shot Gomez multiple times and fled the scene,” officials wrote in the release. “He was identified through surveillance cameras in the area, as well as his car, clothing, and ballistics evidence from his bedroom that matched that found at the crime scene.”

Doyle wanted to “express his gratitude to the Hamden Police Department for their ongoing investigation into this case and extend his deepest condolences to the family of Elijah Gomez.”

Anyone with information regarding the identities of the two unknown suspects is asked to contact the Hamden Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 203-230-4040.