NEW HAVEN POLICE INVESTIGATE CHAPEL STREET ASSAULT

(10/16/2007) NEW HAVEN- Shortly before 2 p.m. today, 41-year-old Michael Forte, a resident of Newington, received a box-cutter wound to the neck at 770 Chapel Street. New Haven Police responded within seconds of the incident and have secured videotape from the establishment to identify the suspect and make an arrest. The suspect is said to be a black male, with closely cropped hair, approximately 6-feet tall and 35-40 years of age who was last seen wearing glasses, an orange, short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans. He was last seen fleeing east on foot on Chapel Street toward State Street.

Forte is in stable condition at Yale New Haven Hospital. “This is an isolated incident that isn’t normal for Downtown. Due to his demeanor it’s evident that the suspect here must have a mental issue or substance abuse problem. The suspect was agitated and acted erratically, we’re obviously dealing with a troubled man here who needs help,” said Downtown District Manager Sgt. Martin Tchakirides. “We have a number of witnesses and videotapes of the incident so we’ll move forward to identify this individual and make an arrest as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to notify New Haven Police.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga#@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660