Carizma Fox dies in fatal Waterbury shooting
Fatal Waterbury shooting death of Carizma Fox
Early Friday morning brought a harrowing notification to Ella Saunders. The mother, whose life had been irrevocably altered four years earlier by the loss of her son, Devante Echols, received distressing news once again. This time, it was the fatal injury of her 17-year-old daughter, Carizma Fox, stemming from a violent incident in Waterbury.
Upon arriving at the scene, Saunders witnessed the aftermath. She described seeing her child lying motionless on the ground, surrounded by emergency responders. The event unfolded on Willow Street, the same location where her daughter met her demise just under four years after her son’s death.
Waterbury authorities confirmed that officers were dispatched before dawn on Friday to a residence in the 100 block of Willow Street following reports of gunfire. The injured teenager, identified as Carizma Fox, was transported to a nearby medical facility but succumbed to her injuries. Police Lieutenant Ryan Bessette stated that the initial call indicated a disturbance outside, which escalated into a shooting. Preliminary findings suggest a confrontation among individuals led to the fatal shots.
Saunders conveyed her anguish, recalling a similar pain from her son’s passing. At the hospital, she expressed a chilling sense of déjà vu, anticipating the worst outcome. “They tried to take me to the back room, but I knew my daughter was gone,” she shared, adding that her granddaughter was merely 17 years old, robbed of a full life.
The community mourned her loss. Superintendent Darren Schwartz of the Waterbury School System sent an emotional message to the staff and families at Enlightenment School, where Carizma was a student. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our students,” Schwartz wrote, extending condolences to the grieving family.
Carizma’s grandfather, Carlton Fox, fondly remembered his granddaughter as a radiant young woman. He noted their frequent text conversations, often starting with inquiries about her well-being. Tragically, the night before the incident, Carizma was with friends, marking the anniversary of her brother’s death. A brief altercation ignited, resulting in the fatal shooting.
As authorities continue their probe, the family seeks closure. Anyone with information is urged to reach out to the Waterbury Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
July 11, 2025.
