By D.M. Livingston|Published July 25, 2025

WATERBURY — In a historic first for one of the city’s most troubled blocks, Mayor Penerewski, NAACP Greater Waterbury President Wendy Tyson‑Wood, alongside other community leaders, joined residents this morning at the corner of Hillside Avenue and Willow Street (near A1 Market, Jascarli). They gathered for a heartfelt prayer and pledged a united commitment to curbing violence in the wake of last week’s tragic murder of 17‑year‑old Carizma Fox.

Wild Wild Waterbury: Violence Spikes Again as 2025 Trends Challenge Progress Made in 2024

Fox was fatally shot in the early hours of July 11 on the 100 block of Willow Street, just after a disturbance involving several individuals, police confirmed. She died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the torso. Her mother, Ella Saunders, had already endured unbearable loss—Fox’s brother had also been slain four years earlier on nearly the same date.

This powerful gathering marks a major escalation in civic engagement on a street long associated with violence. In recent months, law enforcement has reported incidents such as drug arrests, pursuit‑car crashes, and other confrontations along Willow and Hillside avenues.

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A First in Civic Leadership

Neighborhood residents say it was the first time they saw high‑level public figures stand in solidarity at that precise intersection. President Tyson‑Wood, who also spoke at a mall shooting vigil in May where five were injured, characterized this moment as “a moral and civic response,” framing violence prevention as a shared community duty CT Insider+1connecticut-express.com+1.

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“Step One” in Broader Violence‑Reduction Plan

Officials described today event as “Step One” in a broader engagement campaign—one that includes:

• Regular neighborhood prayer or peace circles
• Collaborative projects between city government, nonprofits, faith leaders, and law enforcement
• Coordinated civic toolkits and meetings to empower residents
• Amplifying youth voices to promote nonviolent pathways

The initiative mirrors patterns seen in other Connecticut cities, where initial symbolic acts of unity are followed by structured, sustained interventions.

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Why This Matters

Sharp Spike in Violence

Waterbury has already experienced three homicides and multiple gun incidents in 2025, including the Brass Mill Center shooting in May that wounded five people.

Willow–Hillside as a Hotspot

The intersection has featured reported drug activity, stolen vehicles, and high-speed police pursuits—highlighting systemic challenges in public safety.

Community Leadership Presence

Having the mayor, NAACP president, and nonprofit leaders on-site underscores local resolve—and offers a rare, visible signal of accountability.

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Looking Ahead

As the community mourns Carizma Fox and demands justice, leaders say this is only the beginning. Moving forward, Parker Jane—the civic storytelling platform behind this report—is committed to chronicling progress, amplifying resident voices, and producing engagement tools designed to support lasting change.

This moment at Willow and Hillside reflects not only grief, but a new chapter in civic collaboration—one where the corridors of suffering become sites of collective action and hope.

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Reported by Parker Jane/The Waterbury Times article helped by AI assistance and human oversight.