Jamaican brothers killed in Connecticut shooting; family seeks help to bring them home
Key Points(5)
- The two brothers who were shot and killed outside the Muzeum Sports Bar and Grill were employees of the establishment, which also was the scene of another fatal confrontation in 2024.
- ONLY 25¢ The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m.
- Police found the two men unresponsive.
- They were taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead, police said.
- Police also found another victim with gunshot wounds, but that victim was conscious, alert and responsive when officers arrived, police said.
Two Jamaican brothers who were shot and killed outside a sports bar in Connecticut are being remembered as devoted fathers and valued employees, as their grieving family appeals for public support to return their bodies to Jamaica for burial.
The victims, 31-year-old Miguel Daniel Blake of New Haven and his brother, 34-year-old Dravere Christopher Blake of Meriden, were fatally shot outside Muzeum Sports Bar and Grill in West Haven at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
According to West Haven police, officers found both men unresponsive at the scene. They were transported to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A third gunshot victim was found conscious and alert and was also taken to hospital for treatment.
Police have made no arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing. West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno and Mayor Dorinda Borer are expected to hold a news conference on Wednesday to provide an update on the investigation and announce additional public safety measures following the deadly shooting.
The brothers worked at Muzeum Sports Bar and Grill, which described them in a Facebook statement as "valued members of our Muzeum family." The establishment also announced it would close for the next few weeks to allow staff and patrons time to mourn.
The bar stressed that the shooting occurred outside the business and not inside the establishment.
"We would also like to clarify that the incident did not occur inside Muzeum Bar & Grille, nor was the establishment involved in the events that took place," the statement said. "The incident occurred outside of the venue."
The business said it is cooperating fully with investigators and plans to support the Blake family through fundraising efforts.
The tragedy marks the second fatal shooting linked to the vicinity of the Campbell Avenue establishment since 2024.
Meanwhile, the brothers' mother, Marie Blake, has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking US$30,000 to cover the costs of transporting their bodies to Jamaica and paying for funeral expenses.
"My life has changed forever, and I carry their love and memory with me every single day," she wrote on the fundraising page.
She said the family is determined to bring her sons home "to the place they called home in their hearts."
"They were loving parents, family members, and friends who touched the lives of so many people," the appeal states. "Beyond the pain of losing them, our hearts ache for the children they have left behind. These children must now face life without the love, guidance, and support from a father figure — a loss that no child should ever have to endure."
As of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised more than US$5,600 toward its US$30,000 goal. Funds will be used for international transportation, funeral and burial costs, and related travel and administrative expenses.
