A New Haven man has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison after he was convicted of murder in the fatal drive-by shooting of a teen in Hamden in 2021.
Lamont Quadir Smith-Reed, 22, was sentenced Friday by Judge David L. Zagaja to 52 years in prison for the 2021 death of 18-year-old Semaj Reddick-Streater of Hamden, according to a release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
On Sept. 19, Smith-Reed was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder by a Superior Court jury, court records show.
According to court records, Smith-Reed fatally shot Reddick-Streater near a convenience store in Hamden on May 30, 2021. He reportedly fired from a stolen vehicle recovered by investigators the next day. After an extensive investigation that lasted just under a year, an arrest warrant for Smith-Reed was obtained on May 17, 2022.
Reddick-Streater was a senior at ACES Whitney High School North who was just weeks away from graduating when he was gunned down, according to his obituary.
“Semaj left a huge impression on everyone he came into contact with. He was a soft-spoken, kind and respectful young man with a huge sense of humor. He could always make you smile, no matter how down you felt,” the obituary said.
“Semaj never hesitated to lend a hand,” the obituary added. “He was known to help family, friends and neighbors with whatever task they were struggling with. Semaj was adventurous and always willing to try something new or see a new place. He loved taking trips and doing things with his family and friends.”
According to the obituary, Reddick-Streater was also a father who left behind a young daughter.
Smith-Reed “intentionally and purposely targeted and hunted Semaj Reddick until his task was accomplished,” Zagaja said during Friday’s sentencing hearing.
New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. extended his gratitude “to the Hamden Police Department for their investigative efforts, as well as the FBI in New Haven and the State of Connecticut Division of Scientific Services for their cooperation and assistance,” the DCJ said.
