A Connecticut community is reeling after 17-year-old Camden Siegal — a Hall High School senior, multi-sport athlete, and honor roll student — was shot and killed in Hartford just months before graduation. Police say Camden wasn’t even the intended target.
Hartford police say shots rang out near the PeoplesBank Arena area around 1:49 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. Officers in the area heard gunfire and found a teen suffering from a gunshot wound.
Camden had been waiting for a ride home when he was hit in the chaos.
A second victim — a man in his 20s — was also wounded and later arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. He was listed in critical but stable condition and is expected to recover.
Investigators say Camden was not the person the shooter was aiming for. The case remains open, and police have not publicly identified a suspect.
“We’re following all leads,” Hartford Police Public Information Officer Aaron Boisvert said.
Camden was rushed to a local hospital in extremely critical condition. He died two days later, on Feb. 24, according to his family and school officials.
West Hartford Superintendent Paul Vicinus confirmed Camden’s death in a message to the community, describing him as a dedicated student-athlete, strong scholar, and “a genuine friend to so many.”
Camden’s family shared a heartbreaking statement as they tried to process the loss.
“Camden was the light of our lives, and we are devastated and heartbroken by his loss,” they said, adding that he made a difference through “everyday kindness, steady support and genuine care.”
In the middle of that grief, Camden’s loved ones said he still gave others a chance at life: his organ donation has saved six lives so far, according to a Gofundme created to support his mother.
A funeral was held Feb. 26 at Emanuel Synagogue, where loved ones gathered to mourn a teen they say should have been planning graduation — not a memorial.
A memorial fund has also been set up in Camden’s name to help local youth through academic and sports scholarships.
Things like this should never happen😢