Police arrest man on murder, conspiracy charges in fatal shooting of teenager in Waterbury

Police have charged a second suspect with murder and conspiracy charges in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Waterbury last month.

Nigel Robinson, 19, of Waterbury was arrested Tuesday on charges tied to the death of 18-year-old Joseph Zavala, according to the Waterbury Police Department. He faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal use of a firearm.

Police noted that Robinson has previous felony convictions involving firearm offenses that bar him from possessing guns or ammunition. He was held on a $3 million bond following his arrest and was expected to face a judge in Waterbury Superior Court Wednesday.

Robinson is the second suspect to be charged in Zavala’s death, though police on Wednesday said they are still investigating and anticipate additional arrests.

Waterbury resident Duane Mercer, 20, was arrested Nov. 23 on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and carrying a pistol without a permit. He remains held on a $2 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Mercer has not entered a plea to the charges, according to court records.

According to Waterbury police, officers responded to St. Mary’s Hospital on Nov. 18 just after 7:30 p.m. after Zavala was dropped off there for treatment of a gunshot wound. He was initially listed in critical condition before he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Investigators believe Zavala was shot in the area of North Main and Kingsbury Streets.

Police have not released additional information about the shooting.