Antwan Hill, Murder, Connecticut 2024

ANTWAN HILL, also known as “Bandz,” 20, of New Haven, was sentenced today to 215 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a violent New Haven street gang and multiple gang-related shootings that resulted in two deaths.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hill and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used, and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence.

The investigation revealed that gang members promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

On April 18, 2024, Hill pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that he took part in four gang-related shootings, which resulted in two deaths. The shootings occurred on September 26, 2020, May 19, 2021, July 5, 2021, and April 12, 2022.

Hill has been detained since August 3, 2023. This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.

New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson, ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson, and FBI New Haven Division Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller issued statements praising the efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing Hill to justice.

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