In the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, a solemn funeral at the Gospel Lighthouse Church on Main Street was shattered by violence on Friday morning, leaving a community grappling with shock and sorrow. What began as a moment to honor a life ended in chaos, as a dispute between two families escalated into a shooting and stabbing that injured two people and sent nearly 150 mourners fleeing for safety. The incident, now under intense police scrutiny, has culminated in the arrest of 34-year-old Hartford resident Joshua Smellie, who faces a litany of serious charges.
The Hartford Police Department responded swiftly to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire at the church just after 10 a.m. Officers arrived to find a scene of pandemonium, with attendees spilling out onto the street, desperate to escape the violence unfolding inside the sanctuary. According to Lieutenant Aaron Boisvert, the altercation began as a physical fight between family members attending the funeral. The dispute quickly spiraled out of control, with multiple rounds of gunfire erupting both inside and outside the church. Bullets tore through the sacred space, causing property damage but, miraculously, no fatalities.
Amid the chaos, a woman arrived at a local hospital with a graze wound from a gunshot, her injuries described as non-life-threatening. Roughly 30 minutes later, a man sought treatment for a stab wound, also expected to recover. The two victims, caught in the crossfire of the melee, underscored the reckless nature of the violence that disrupted a moment meant for mourning. Police investigations revealed evidence of extensive gunfire, with shell casings found scattered both within the church and on the surrounding grounds, painting a vivid picture of the intensity of the confrontation.
As the day unfolded, Hartford police worked diligently to piece together the events and identify those responsible. Their efforts led them to Waterbury, where, on Friday evening, they apprehended Joshua Smellie. The 34-year-old Hartford native was taken into custody and now faces a slew of charges, including first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm, risk of injury, first-degree reckless endangerment, and third-degree assault on an elderly person. Authorities have set his bond at $1 million, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him.
The incident has left the Hartford community reeling, with residents and churchgoers struggling to make sense of how a place of worship could become a backdrop for such violence. The Gospel Lighthouse Church, a longstanding fixture on Main Street, has long served as a beacon of hope and unity for its congregation. Friday’s events, however, have cast a shadow over its mission, prompting questions about safety and the underlying tensions that fueled the altercation.
Police have not released details about the specific circumstances of the family dispute or the identities of the victims, citing the ongoing investigation. However, Lieutenant Boisvert emphasized the department’s gratitude that no lives were lost, a small mercy in an otherwise tragic ordeal. Authorities are continuing to interview witnesses and analyze evidence to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
For now, Joshua Smellie remains in custody, awaiting his next court appearance. The charges against him carry significant penalties, and the outcome of his case will likely resonate far beyond the walls of the Gospel Lighthouse Church. As Hartford mourns the violation of a sacred space, the community is left to reflect on the fragility of peace and the urgent need for healing in the wake of such senseless violence.