Arrest made in 2022 deadly shooting of 15-year-old at birthday party in Fairfield
On July 9, 2022, police responded to gunfire at the Calvin United Church of Christ banquet hall on King's Highway East, where hundreds of kids and adults had gathered to celebrate. They found two juveniles shot, including Zion Burton, who later died at the hospital.
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More than three years after a 15-year-old was gunned down at a 13th birthday party in Fairfield, police announced an arrest in the case.
The suspect, Tahnyi Johnson, now 20, was 16 years old at the time of the incident. Because he was a juvenile then, Johnson was arraigned behind closed doors at Bridgeport Superior Court Friday afternoon where the case was transferred to adult court and then became public. He's charged with murder, first-degree assault with a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal discharge of a firearm.
Judge Robert Golger set bond at $2 million, with a requirement that he post 30% in cash.
On July 9, 2022, police responded to gunfire at the Calvin United Church of Christ banquet hall on King's Highway East, where hundreds of kids and adults had gathered to celebrate. They found two juveniles shot, including Zion Burton, who later died at the hospital.
"From the moment this crime occurred, the men and women of the Fairfield Police Department made a commitment that this case would not be forgotten," said Chief Michael Paris at a news conference Friday morning announcing the arrest.
Johnson has been in custody at Manson Correctional Youth Institution in Cheshire since last August when Stratford police arrested him on charges of first-degree assault, risk of injury to a child, carrying a pistol without a permit and other weapons charges.
Paris declined to comment on the evidence against Johnson, a motive or what led to the arrest, but said there wasn't one big thing that led to a break in the case.
"This arrest is the direct result of tireless police work, strong partnerships, persistence and a refusal to give up," Paris stated, as he thanked neighboring law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor's office. "To the victim's family, we want you to know we never stopped fighting for you."
Zion, who lived in Stratford and Bridgeport, died just days before his 16th birthday.
Paris said while the arrest could not "erase the pain, grief, and loss" Zion's family has endured, he hoped it would be "an important step towards justice and accountability."
Johnson is expected to be in court next on April 14.
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