Early Monday afternoon, New Haven Police Department officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim in a local parking lot and discovered the city’s first homicide victim of the year.

Durrell Patrick Law, a 20 year-old New Haven resident, had suffered a bullet wound to the chest by the time officers arrived at the Fairview Apartments residential complex. Law — whose identity was confirmed in a 5:44 p.m. release from NHPD spokesman David Hartman — was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Detectives are investigating and are eager to speak with anyone who may have information about this crime,” Hartman added in the release.

The homicide is the first to take place since the Dec. 28 shooting at the intersection of Hemingway St. and Russell St., less than one mile from where Law was found. 18 year-old Javier Martinez died as a result of multiple gun wounds sustained that day.

Officers were dispatched to 130 Eastern St. when they found Law.

MAREK RAMILO