On Wednesday afternoon Connecticut State Police released information on the incident that shut down the Merritt Parkway Tuesday night for two hours.
State Police said in a release that around 7:00 Troopers responded to Route 15 northbound in the area of Exit 28 on a report of an active assault.
Troop G received a 911 call from Marvin Harris, 43 of Shelton, who stated he was actively being assaulted on Rte 15 North in the area of exit 18 in Greenwich by a group of motorcyclists and that a firearm was being displayed.
When State Troopers and Greenwich Police arrived they located Mr. Harris and Tavon Marquisgrant Douglas, 30, of New Haven in the right shoulder at which time they were both immediately detained.
Preliminary investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Mr. Harris, Mr. Douglas, John Louis Whitley, 35, of Wilmington, DE, Mr. Whitely, and an unknown man were involved in a road rage incident where Mr. Harris was brake checking the motorcyclists and not allowing them to pass.
The incident then escalated, which led to Mr. Douglas displaying a firearm and discharging a round into the rear of Mr. Harris’s vehicle.
After Mr. Douglas fired the shot, all parties pulled into the right shoulder and engaged in a violent physical altercation.
Prior to arrival, State Police said that Mr. Whitley and an unknown motorcyclist fled the scene, traveling north on Route 15. Troop G broadcast a BOLO, Be on the Lookout, for the fleeing motorcycles. Mr. Whitely was located traveling north on Rte 15 in the area of Exit 38 where he was stopped.
After questioning Whitely about the incident, he stated that he had shoved and struck Mr. Harris and mounted Mr. Douglas’s motorcycle and fled from the scene.
Mr. Douglas and Mr. Harris were transported to local hospitals for minor injuries.
A firearm registered to Mr. Douglas was also located on scene.
Mr. Whitely was placed under arrest at the scene of the traffic stop.
Connecticut State Police noted that there is no photograph available for Mr. Harris due to him only being issued a misdemeanor summons. He was charged with Reckless Driving and Breach of Peace 2. His bond was $1,000.
Mr. Douglas was arrested after being discharged from the hospital. He was charged with Reckless Driving, Negligent Pedestrian, Illegal Discharge of Firearm, Breach of Peace 2, Assault 1, Assault 2-Firearm, Threatening 2, Reckless Endangerment 1. His bond was set at $150,000.
Mr. Whitley was charged with Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Theft of Plates, Failure to Insure Motor Vehicle, Breach of Peace 2, and Assault 3. His bond was set at $2,500.
Original story:
Updated: Connecticut State Police Close Merritt Parkway North Near Greenwich June 13, 2023