Connecticut Man Charged in Drive-By Killing of Mother and Infant Over $400 Debt

Lance Morales, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son after she fell behind on car rental payments.

Lance Morales, 23, allegedly killed Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her infant son Messiah Diaz on November 19 in Hartford, Connecticut, over a $400 debt for a rented SUV.
The victims were in a car when Morales reportedly opened fire with a fully automatic weapon after being told the baby was inside; he allegedly replied, 'I don’t care.'
Two additional passengers were in the vehicle during the shooting, one of whom was injured, while the other was unharmed.
Morales was arrested in Puerto Rico on November 23 after a four-day manhunt and extradited to Connecticut, where he faces charges including two counts of murder and assault.
If convicted, Morales could face life in prison without parole; he is currently being held on $5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on January 8.