James Harris.
James Harris was found dead Wednesday in Cheshire Correctional Institution, where he was imprisoned after getting arrested in connection with a nonfatal double shooting in Hamden.
Harris, who is from New Haven, was 23 years old.
“At this time there does not appear to be a criminal aspect to this investigation,” state police spokesperson Trooper Pedro A Muniz state in a release..
The chief medical examiner’s office told the Independent it has ruled Harris’s death a suicide.
Update: The Department of Correction Thursday afternoon released these details about the incident:
“At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10 2021, a correctional staff member observed an offender, unresponsive, in his cell with one end of a ligature tied around his neck, and the other end tied to his bunk.
“Correctional and medical staff immediately initiated emergency and life saving measures. A 911 call was placed, emergency medical staff arrived on scene and transported the inmate via ambulance to a local area hospital where, shortly thereafter he was pronounced deceased at approximately 10:54 a.m.”
Hamden police arrested Harris on July 23 on charges of first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit, and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was being held on $500,000 bond.
A Hamden police investigation had concluded that Harris was the shooter in an incident that took place on Dixwell Avenue on May 13 at 12:15 a.m., in which a 20-year-old New Haven woman was shot in the chest and a 22-year-old Hamden man was shot in the buttocks, hand and pelvis.
Harris pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the state judicial database. He was represented in the case by attorney Richard Silverstein.
Hamden police also charged Harris with seven separate weapons and motor vehicle offenses connected to the July 23 encounter. He had not yet entered a plea in that case, according to the database. He had a Nov. 18 court date scheduled on those charges.