Man pleads guilty to reduced charge in fatal New Britain shooting

A man who police say fatally shot someone during an alleged robbery attempt in New Britain in 2019 has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.

Justin Hapgood, 23, took a plea deal during a hearing in New Britain Superior Court last week, pleading guilty to one felony count of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm, judicial records indicate.

He is being held on a $2 million bond and has yet to face sentencing. The 23-year-old is due back in court on July 6.

Hapgood previously faced charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

According to court documents, Hapgood and his co-defendant, 21-year-old Wilfredo Oquendo, have been charged in the shooting death of 34-year-old Erick Rivera on North Street in New Britain in January 2019.

Police have alleged that Hapgood shot Rivera after Rivera attempted to rob Oquendo, court papers said. Oquendo allegedly instructed Hapgood to shoot Rivera after the robbery attempt.

Following the shooting, Rivera walked up North Street and collapsed before he was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Oquendo, who is being held in lieu of a $2 million bail, has pleaded not guilty to charges of accessory to murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He is next scheduled to appear in court on May 30.