State authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the unsolved killing of a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran late last year in his East Hartford home.
Dominic Marino, 30, was bound and shot during a violent struggle on Nov. 18, 2018, but police have never found and charged the person who attacked him.
On Thursday, almost exactly one year later, Gov. Ned Lamont authorized the maximum state reward in the case at the request of State’s Attorney Gail Hardy to try to bring the case to a close, officials said.
“This case has never been less than a top priority,” East Hartford Lt. Joshua Litwin said Wednesday. “It’s important to investigators, the community and certainly the family to never rest until justice is served.”
Marino was found dead by a family member in Suffolk Drive home, where he lived with his brother, in the afternoon of Nov. 18. He was found with his wrists and ankles bound with tape and an autopsy confirmed he died from a gunshot wound to his torso, so investigators designated his death a homicide.
The unknown suspect appeared to have forced entry to the home and there was evidence of a struggle, officials said. Police would not release further details about the crime Wednesday, citing the active and ongoing investigation.
Marino was injured while serving in the U.S. Air Force and he was 70 percent disabled in his right knee and left shoulder, according to his father, Mark Marino.
Dominic had joined the service through the delayed enlistment program and began serving shortly after his 18th birthday before going on to serve in South Korea, Kuwait, Japan, Turkey and Germany, according to his family.
He was awarded Airman of the Quarter five times and Airman of the Year once. After his injuries, he volunteered with veterans organizations and “he truly felt a sadness that he couldn’t continue to serve active duty,” his family wrote in his obituary.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact East Hartford Police Detective Frank Napolitano at 860-291-7640 or [email protected]. Information also can be called in to the East Hartford Police anonymous tip line at 860-289-9134.
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