Killed Over Stolen Sneakers: Warrant Details Murder Case as Two More Arrested

The warrant charging a Meriden man in the death of 18-year-old New Britain resident Issaac Smith delivers details regarding the confrontation and said his death occurred over accusations that he had stolen a pair of sneakers.

The courts unsealed a warrant this week regarding the arrest of Meriden resident Jonathan Gibbs, the 26-year-old charged in the June 16 murder. Smith was found dead outside a Kelsey Street home in New Britain following a confrontation between the two, according to the warrant.

Two additional arrests were made this week in the case, according to New Britain police. Gibbs’ father Terry Gibbs, 48, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with 17 counts of criminal possession of a firearm and one count of risk of injury to a minor and Elisa Cardona was charged with tampering with evidence and risk of injury to a minor.

Police said Cardona was housing the guns for Gibbs in her Middletown home.

The two, both from Meriden, were arraigned in Middletown Superior Court and the cases were transferred to New Britain Superior Court, according to court records. They are both due back in court on July 24.

According to details of the case, police arrived around midnight on June 16 and found Smith lying in the driveway with a bullet wound to the head. He was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain campus, where he was pronounced dead.

Residents in the area told police they witnessed a man run and get into a pick-up truck after shots were fired. But the break in the case came the next day when a witness came to the New Britain Police Department and asked to speak to officers about Smith.

The witness told police that he and Smith had a plan to steal a pair of sneakers, Nike Foamposite, that Gibbs had posted on Facebook and planned to sell for $400. The witness said he hid in a bush while Smith met with Gibbs, grabbed the shoes and attempted to flee. One shot rang out, according to the witness.

Gibbs truck, matching the description given to police, was found in the driveway of his Meriden residence and when police asked him to come out, Gibbs allegedly asked if he had "hit him," according to the warrant.

The warrant details a slightly different story, however, one in which Gibbs claims a young man approached him and implied he had a gun before taking the shoes and attempting to run. Gibbs admitted to pulling his Glock out and pointing it at the man, but said he lowered it before firing.

Gibbs said he circled the block several times looking for the man, but was unable to find him.

Attorney Norm Pattis, representing Gibbs, said that his client did not commit the crime and implied they know who did. He said at a probable cause hearing on Aug. 5, he intends to look the perpetrator in the eyes and have the person testify under oath.

“(Jon) was simply trying to protect the person responsible,” Pattis said.

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