Suspected Shooter Arrested For Second Shooting

From the Middletown Police Department

After a several month investigation into a shooting that occurred on November 18th, 2008, an arrest was made on Ma7y 28 of the suspect, Westley Northup.

The investigation revealed that shots were fired at a group of people that were walking on Liberty St., on November 18th, 2008 at approximately 11:30pm. No one was hit by the gunshots and at that time the suspect fled was and was not immediately located. The Middletown Police Department’s Detective Division began an investigation into the incident and a suspect was identified. An arrest warrant was applied for and issued for Northup.

On May 28 the suspect was arrested on that warrant at Middlesex Superior Court. The suspect was already being held on bond awaiting trial for another incident in which he was arrested for shooting a male victim on Bacon Ave., Middletown, Ct. on January 10th, 2009 at approximately 10:30pm. After an investigation into that incident, Northup was arrested on an arrest warrant on March 13 and was charged with Assault 1st degree, Criminal Possession of a firearm, and Committing a Felony with a Firearm.

While at the court appearance onMay 28, Northup was arrested by Middletown Police on the arrest warrant for the incident that occurred in November. Northup was processed on the charges of Criminal Attempt to Commit Assault in the 1st degree, Criminal Possession of a firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm and Committing a Felony with a Firearm.

Northup is currently being held on a combined $350,000 bond for the two shootings and an additional $200,000 bond for another unrelated incident in which he was arrested in Middletown for Criminal Impersonation and Possession

The noble and the neglectful

Middletown's always a surprise.

On the way home I saw an impromptu vegetable stand near the Community Health Center on the West side of Main Street.

I stopped and found Wesleyan student Sarah Tracy supervising the distribution of fresh vegetables from the Wesleyan gardens on Long Lane.

"We distribute coupons," Tracy explained, "And people can redeem them for vegetable that we bring downtown."

I snapped a few pictures then hopped into my car and rounded the corner onto Liberty where I saw a young adult intentionally drop a sizeable piece of litter from a handful of chicken he was eating.

"Pick up your litter," I shouted from my car, stopping to make my point clear.

"F--k you," his friend said.

The young man who dropped the litter said, "Ask nicely."

I said, "Please pick up your litter. I live in this town too."

"F--k this town," his friend said.

"Pardon?" I said.

"F--k this town. And f--k you," he clarified.

The young man who had dropped the litter stooped and retrieved it.

"Thanks," I said to the recalcitrant litterer. And to his friend, "F--k you too."