Raviteja Koyyada Obituary, Death – A food delivery driver in New Haven was tragically shot and killed while working on Sunday afternoon, marking the city’s first homicide of the year. The incident, which appears to be the result of an attempted robbery, took place on Shepard Street near the Hamden town line in the Newhallville neighborhood.
The New Haven Police Department is still determining whether the crime was a setup or simply a crime of opportunity. Officer Christian Bruckhart stated, “We don’t know if the delivery actually happened and this was a crime of opportunity, or if someone was specifically targeting the driver. We’re not sure.”
Around 4 p.m., police received multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting. The victim, 26-year-old Raviteja Koyyada from Hamden, was working as a delivery driver for a local Chinese restaurant when he was attacked. After the shooting, the perpetrator stole Koyyada’s car, which was later found not far from the scene and is now being examined for DNA evidence.
Officer Bruckhart described the incident as a senseless tragedy. “He was scheduled to come back, he didn’t come back. They got worried, they actually went out to the scene. It’s a terrible thing, guy just trying to do his job and was killed. Senseless,” he said.
Local residents, including Sonia Powell, who has lived in the neighborhood for 26 years, expressed concerns over safety. Powell noted that violence has been an ongoing issue, stating, “Quality of life has gone down and it’s not the same. No, I don’t feel safe. They had a shooting some months ago.”
Another resident, Don, called for increased police presence in the area. “I think it needs a little more policing, that will make it better. They can get rid of it. They just have to take more notice in the places that it’s happening, it’s constantly happening down the street,” he said.
As detectives continue their investigation, police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The community hopes that authorities will quickly identify and apprehend those responsible for this senseless act of violence.