CT man pleads guilty to murder in 2019 fatal shooting during botched robbery outside gas station

A New Haven man pleaded guilty to murder in connection with a fatal shooting during a botched robbery outside a Hamden gas station in 2019, officials said.

During a brief hearing Monday, 23-year-old Pharoh Jackson pleaded guilty to felony murder before Judge Gerald L. Harmon in New Haven Superior Court, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. said in a statement. Jury selection in Jackson’s criminal trial was scheduled to begin Monday.

On Dec. 27, 2019, Hamden officers were responding to an attempted robbery at about 9 p.m. when they were alerted to a report of shots fired at the Express Fuel at Dixwell Avenue and Woodin Street, according to the Hamden Police Department.

Officers found 35-year-old Corey Gomes at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound and rushed him to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to court records, Jackson fatally shot Gomes during a robbery.

“During the course of their investigation, the Hamden Police Department learned that prior to the homicide, Jackson had arranged to purchase marijuana through another individual with the intention of robbing the marijuana dealer at gunpoint,” the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said in Monday’s statement.

“At the time of the transaction, Jackson produced a firearm and shot the victim during a struggle between the two men,” the DCF continued. “When interviewed by members of the Hamden Police Department, Jackson admitted to shooting the victim during the attempted robbery.”

Jackson’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.

“State’s Attorney Doyle would like to extend his condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Gomes and his gratitude to the Hamden Police Department for their investigative efforts,” the DCJ said in the release.