Nightclub under investigation after fatal shooting of West Hartford teen

Police and state officials are looking into one of the bars where a 17-year-old was killed and another man was critically injured.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hartford police and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection are investigating a nightclub called The Lady after a fatal shooting outside the bar that left a 17-year-old West Hartford high school student dead and another man critically injured. Authorities believe the teen victim was not the intended target of the shooting, which occurred in the early morning hours on Sunday.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has shaken the West Hartford community and raised questions about safety and security measures at local nightclubs. Authorities are looking into whether the bar owners or operators may have contributed to the circumstances leading up to the shooting through any potential violations of liquor laws or other regulations.

The details

Cameron Siegal, a 17-year-old honor roll student and athlete at Hall High School, was shot and killed outside The Lady and Dark Horse Saloon on Ann Uccello Street around 2 a.m. on Sunday. A second gunshot victim, a man in his 20s, is in critical but stable condition. Police believe Siegal was not the intended target. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection said they have an open investigation into The Lady regarding an incident on New Year's Day, but no other investigations since the bar opened under new ownership in 2024.

  • The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • Siegal died from his injuries on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Funeral services for Siegal will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Cameron Siegal

A 17-year-old honor roll student and athlete at Hall High School in West Hartford who was fatally shot outside a Hartford nightclub.

The Lady

A Hartford nightclub that is part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of the West Hartford teen.

Hartford Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the shooting incident.

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

The state agency that regulates liquor licenses and is also investigating the Hartford nightclub in relation to the shooting.

Arunan Arulampalam

The Mayor of Hartford who stated the city will take any potential bar or nightclub violations very seriously in relation to acts of violence.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Any act of violence in which we think that there were laws being broken by a bar or nightclub owner, in the lead up to that, we are going to take very seriously.”

— Arunan Arulampalam, Mayor of Hartford

“The loss is incredibly difficult and the impact on the school community is very painful.”

— Paul Vicinius, West Hartford Superintendent

What’s next

The state Department of Consumer Protection said they are prepared to take further action against The Lady nightclub if investigators request or support it. The judge will also decide on whether to allow the suspected shooter out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic shooting has raised serious concerns about safety and security measures at local nightclubs, as well as the need for greater oversight and accountability for bar owners whose establishments may be contributing to violent incidents in the community. It underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.