New Haven Man Convicted in Fatal West Haven Restaurant Parking Lot Shooting

Eric Johnson found guilty of manslaughter in 2024 incident that left Hector 'Fabi' Dominguez dead.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:36am

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An extreme close-up of a single spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence left behind after a fatal shooting incident.A single spent bullet casing left behind after a fatal confrontation in a restaurant parking lot serves as a grim reminder of the tragic consequences of unresolved tensions.New Haven Today

A 34-year-old New Haven man has been convicted of first-degree manslaughter for a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a West Haven restaurant in 2024. Eric Johnson, who worked as a bouncer at the Tropical Caribbean Restaurant, shot and killed 44-year-old Hector 'Fabi' Dominguez of West Haven after an altercation between the two men.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of workplace violence and the escalation of confrontations that can tragically turn deadly, especially in the service industry where tensions can run high. The incident also raises questions about the appropriate use of force and self-defense claims in confrontations that start verbally but quickly turn physical.

The details

According to testimony, Johnson and Dominguez had an argument inside the restaurant, with Johnson saying he 'tapped' Dominguez on the chin. Dominguez then left but later returned to the parking lot, where he confronted Johnson and began hitting Johnson's vehicle with a hammer. Johnson then shot Dominguez six times from inside his own vehicle, causing Dominguez's death from four gunshot wounds.

  • The incident occurred on February 4, 2024 in the parking lot of the Tropical Caribbean Restaurant in West Haven.
  • Johnson was convicted by a jury in Milford Superior Court on April 11, 2026.
  • Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2026.

The players

Eric Johnson

A 34-year-old New Haven man who was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Hector 'Fabi' Dominguez. Johnson worked as a bouncer at the Tropical Caribbean Restaurant where the incident took place.

Hector 'Fabi' Dominguez

A 44-year-old West Haven man who was killed in the shooting incident in the restaurant parking lot.

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What they’re saying

“A short time later, Dominguez's friends saw the defendant in the parking lot and asked him about what happened, not realizing he was the one who struck Dominguez.”

— Officials

“Dominguez then exited his truck, grabbed a hammer, and hit the defendant's vehicle several times as the defendant was backing away, according to testimony. By the third swing of the hammer, the defendant shot Dominguez six times from inside his vehicle. Dominguez fell, and the defendant drove over him while leaving.”

— Officials

What’s next

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2026 at Milford Superior Court.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for improved de-escalation training, conflict resolution, and workplace safety protocols, especially in service industry settings where confrontations can quickly turn violent. It also raises broader questions about the appropriate use of force and the role of self-defense claims in such volatile situations.