Jaedyn Rivera, Murder and Attempted Murder, Connecticut 2023

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New Haven Gang Member Charged with Murder and Attempted Murder

A federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging six alleged members and associates of the “Exit 8” street gang in New Haven with conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug trafficking, murder, and attempted murder, as well as related offenses.

The indictment alleges that members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least two murders and 10 attempted murders. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven.

Among the violent acts committed by the Exit 8 gang, the indictment alleges that:

On June 16, 2018, Douglas and Hyman shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang, and shot another individual in the vicinity;
On January 24, 2019, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
On July 14, 2019, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
On April 27, 2021, Preston and others shot and attempted to kill an individual;
On May 3, 2021, Rivera shot and attempted to kill two members and associates of a rival gang;
On May 10, 2021, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang, and shot another individual in the vicinity;
On May 11, 2021, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill rival gang members;
On May 19, 2021, Suggs and others shot and killed a member and associate of a rival gang;
On May 20, 2021, Rivera and Preston shot and attempted to kill rival gang members, and Rivera and others shot and attempted to kill two other individuals;
On June 30, 2021, Preston shot and attempted to kill

The indictment charges six alleged members and associates of the Exit 8 gang:

Jaedyn Rivera, also known as “Jae Honcho,” 22;
Tyjon Preston, also known as “TJ,” 20;
Samuel Douglas, also known as “Blamm,” 24;
Quaymar Suggs, 19;
Kiveon Hyman, also known as “Tiny,” 25;
Donell Allick, Jr., also known as “D-Nice,” 24.

The indictment was unsealed after Suggs and Hyman were arrested on March 24. On that date, they appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and were ordered detained. Preston has been detained in state custody since May 22, 2021, and Rivera, Douglas, and Allick have been detained in federal custody on previous charges.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and John H. Durham.