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Cold Case: Bridgeport Man Charged With Murder In 2012 Norwalk Shooting

NORWALK, Conn. -- A Bridgeport man was charged with murder Thursday in connection with a 2012 shooting death in Norwalk.

Hakeem Atkinson

Hakeem Atkinson

Photo Credit: Norwalk Police Department

Hakeem Atkinson, 22, of Bridgeport was charged as a result of a cold case investigation into the death of Joseph "Jabs" Bateman, who was shot behind the Avalon Gates housing complex on Belden Avenue in Norwalk on Feb. 3, 2012.

It was the second cold-case arrest in the past two days in Norwalk. 

Related story: Man shot to death near Norwalk River

Atkinson was 16 years old when Bateman was shot to death in a crime related to street gang activity, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. His arrest is a result of an investigation by the Norwalk Police Department in conjunction with the Cold Case Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney and the Office of the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk.

Bateman's death was featured in the fourth edition of the cold case playing cards produced in conjunction with the Department of Correction and sold to inmates in the Connecticut corrections system. Information on Bateman's death was described on the nine of diamonds card.

Atkinson is the second person arrested this week in connection with a cold case murder in Norwalk. Ibo Boone, 30, of Waterbury was charged with murder on Tuesday in connection with the 2010 shooting death of Michael "Mizzy" Robinson in Norwalk.

Related story: Cold case arrest: Norwalk police charged Waterbury man in 2010 murder

Atkinson turned himself in to police Thursday morning and was held on $1 million bond. He was to be arraigned in court Thursday.

“I thank all who worked so diligently on this investigation. While we may consider a case to be ‘cold,’  it is never closed as we continue to work as hard as we can to bring some sense of closure to families who have lost loved ones,” said Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik.

State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., commended Norwalk police detectives and the Cold Case Unit for their work on the investigation. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk and the Cold Case Unit.

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