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John Tubac at HSC's graduation in June 2022.
A state judge sentenced 26-year-old New Havener Kiyon Matheney to more than three decades in prison for shooting and killing 17-year-old High School in the Community graduate John Tubac-Saquil in Fair Haven last year.
According to an email press release recently sent out by the state’s attorney’s office, on Tuesday, state Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale sentenced Matheney to 33 years in prison after a jury in October found him guilty of first-degree manslaughter, carrying a pistol without permit, and criminal possession of a firearm.
“According to evidence introduced at trial, the defendant shot Tubac-Saquil shortly after 11 p.m. on July 3, 2022 when the defendant approached the victim’s truck where the victim was talking to his girlfriend,” the press release reads. “Tubac-Saquil died four days later. An arrest warrant was secured on October 17, 2022, and served two days later on the defendant.”
Click here to read about the truck-racing-related argument that led to the fatal shooting, as detailed in an arrest warrant affidavit written at the time by Det. Thomas Blaisdell.
Click here to read about an October 2022 police press conference at which Tubac-Saquil’s family remembered and grieved the loss of their loved one.
“Growing up, he was full of life and laughter. He was full of joy,” Tubac-Saquil’s godparent, Rosaura Escorbort, said at that press conference.“He was always respectful, always kind, and, as with any typical teenager, on occasions he would make us challenged.” Right up until his death, she continued,“he had dreams. He was trying to discover where his career would lead to. He had always said he wanted to work in law enforcement, a passion that he had about finding justice.” He also loved music, Escorbort said, and would talk about his hopes of performing in church alongside his mom and sister.