The Hartford Police Department has arrested two more individuals in connection with a violent incident that took place during a funeral service in early May. The confrontation, which escalated into both a shooting and a stabbing, shocked the local community and disrupted what should have been a solemn occasion.
These recent arrests bring the total number of individuals charged to three, as investigators continue to unravel what exactly sparked the violence and who was involved.
Table of Contents
Violence During a Funeral Service
On May 9, a large crowd had gathered for a funeral service at a church on Main Street in Hartford. The service, intended to be a peaceful farewell for a loved one, turned into a chaotic scene when a family-related dispute broke out among attendees.
Tensions rapidly escalated. Witnesses reported loud arguments, shoving, and shouting inside the church. Moments later, gunshots rang out, followed by a separate stabbing incident just outside the venue. Two individuals were injured — one sustained a stab wound and another was grazed by a bullet.
Fortunately, both victims survived. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and the church was secured. Initial statements from witnesses suggested the violence stemmed from an unresolved family feud that reignited during the funeral.
First Arrest: Joshua Smellie
On the same day of the incident, police arrested 34-year-old Joshua Smellie. He was found in possession of a firearm and taken into custody without incident.
Smellie was charged with:
- Assault in the first degree
- Criminal possession of a firearm
- Reckless endangerment
- Assault on an elderly person
He was held on bond and has since made his initial court appearance.
New Developments: Faucette and Hawkins
As of August 5, law enforcement has now made two additional arrests:
- Kendra Faucette, 40 years old, has been charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm.
- Courtney Hawkins, 43 years old, has been charged with criminal possession of a firearm.
Both individuals were located and arrested on Monday morning after weeks of investigation and the execution of approved arrest warrants.
Authorities have confirmed that both played a direct role in the confrontation at the funeral, though the exact details of their involvement have not been publicly disclosed. It’s believed that each person arrested was either related to or personally involved with the family at the center of the dispute.
A Closer Look at the Incident
Investigators believe the violence started as a verbal altercation between two family factions who were already at odds prior to the funeral. According to witness accounts, one side confronted another inside the church, and the situation spiraled out of control within minutes.
A firearm was discharged during the confrontation, and separate from that, a male attendee was stabbed outside near the parking lot.
Law enforcement worked closely with the church, witnesses, and nearby surveillance footage to piece together what happened. The complexity of the case, with multiple aggressors and victims involved, slowed down the process but also helped ensure accurate identifications and charges.
Charges Summary
| Name | Age | Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Smellie | 34 | 1st-degree assault, firearm & elder assault |
| Kendra Faucette | 40 | 2nd-degree assault, criminal firearm poss. |
| Courtney Hawkins | 43 | Criminal possession of a firearm |
Police have not ruled out further arrests, stating that the investigation is still active and that more individuals may be identified as contributing to the chaos that day.
Community Response
The Hartford community has been left unsettled by the violence occurring in a sacred space. Community leaders and church members have since called for peace, urging families to resolve disputes outside of public gatherings.
Church officials also stated that while they support the grieving families, they are now reviewing security protocols to ensure such an incident does not happen again.
Many residents say they are relieved to see continued progress in the investigation and hope that accountability will bring some closure to the situation.
Ongoing Investigation
Detectives continue to gather information and conduct interviews. The Hartford Police Department encourages anyone with further details or footage of the May 9 incident to come forward. They’ve assured the public that all tips will be handled with full confidentiality.
The three suspects are expected to appear in court over the coming weeks. Depending on the outcomes of the preliminary hearings, formal trials may be scheduled by the end of the year.
Hartford residents remain hopeful that the city can begin healing from this tragic disruption. As the investigation continues to unfold, stay tuned for further updates. If you have thoughts or want to share your perspective on the incident, feel free to leave a comment below.