A Connecticut man accused of killing a 20-year-old mother and her 4-month-old son in a shocking drive-by shooting over a $400 rental debt for his SUV.
Lance “Macho” Morales, 23, is accused of opening fire on Jessiah Mercado and her infant son,
Messiah Diaz, on Nov. 19, just before 3 p.m. in Hartford.
According to court documents, Mercado had rented a vehicle from Morales for $100 per day but had fallen behind on her payments.
Witnesses reported that before the shooting, Mercado pleaded with Morales, saying, “I got my baby in the car.” Morales reportedly responded, “I don’t care,” before firing a fully automatic weapon. Mercado was shot in the upper torso, and her infant son was shot in the arm. Both were pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital.
The shooting took place near 380 New Britain Ave. in Hartford, as Mercado and three others were in a Mazda CX-50. The survivors—a man in his 20s who was shot but survived, and the driver who wasn’t injured—were able to identify Morales as the shooter in a photo lineup.
According to the warrant affidavit, the incident unfolded when the driver of the Mazda noticed a white Infiniti tailing them after leaving a store.
The Infiniti driver tried to block them in at an intersection, but the Mazda driver couldn’t escape. After stopping at a traffic light on New Britain Avenue, the driver said Morales pulled up beside them, rolled down his window, and opened fire.
Witnesses said they recognized Morales as “Macho,” a man known for renting vehicles in the Waterbury area.
Mercado reportedly told Morales, “I got my baby in the car, Mach,” before he allegedly responded by saying, “I don’t care.” The affidavit further claims that Morales then began shooting with what appeared to be an extended magazine weapon.
After the shooting, emergency dispatchers received a report at 2:47 p.m. about a vehicle chase involving an Infiniti. Investigators were able to recover video footage from the scene that showed the deadly gunfire, and audio from the footage led them to believe that the weapon used was fully automatic.
The driver of the Mazda rushed to Hartford Hospital after the shooting, where Mercado and her son were pronounced dead. The third gunshot victim, who suffered a non-life-threatening wound, was also treated and later listed in stable condition.
Family members told investigators that Mercado had rented the Mazda from Morales for $100 a day but owed him $400 after falling behind on payments. They also revealed that Mercado had been ignoring Morales’ attempts to contact her.
At a press conference the day after the shooting, investigators stated that the motive appeared to be a dispute over the vehicle.
Morales fled the scene following the shooting and was later captured in Puerto Rico by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force on Nov. 23.
He was extradited to Connecticut on Nov. 25 and charged by Hartford police with two counts of murder, one count of murder with special circumstances, first-degree assault, attempt to commit first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a firearm.
Morales was arraigned in court on Monday, with about a dozen judicial marshals surrounding the courtroom for security. Judge Michael Wu acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the case, warning attendees not to speak out during the proceedings.
Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott argued for Morales to be held without bond, pointing to the capital felony charge that could lead to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She noted that a judge had initially set bail at $3 million before it was revealed that Morales had fled to Puerto Rico.
Court officials also revealed that Morales has several pending charges, including sale of cocaine, reckless driving, tampering with evidence, and violations of probation stemming from a 2021 first-degree assault conviction.
He could face up to seven years in prison for the probation violation. Morales also has previous convictions for violating a protective order and first-degree escape.
A public defender representing Morales in court argued for a lower bond, stating that Morales has no ability to post bail, as he lives with his father and has no financial resources. However, Judge Wu set Morales’ bond at $5 million, citing the seriousness of the charges and his attempt to evade capture.
If Morales posts bond, he will be subject to intensive pretrial supervision, including GPS monitoring and 24/7 house arrest.
Morales’ next court appearance is scheduled for 8 Jan, Wednesday.
