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Crime & Safety

'He Was One In A Million' [Update]

Large crowd at McMahon High School honors James Shaw with vigil.

Update 7:45pm Friday

On a chilly and emotional Friday night, more than 1,000 people poured into Jack Casagrande Field at McMahon High School to honor James "Kuta" Shaw with a candlelight vigil. Shaw, 21, was killed early Friday morning when he was struck by two cars on the Route 7 connector near exit 1.

Tears were flowing as friends, family members, former classmates, coaches, and teachers sat in stunned silence, still numb after learning about Shaw's death. The scoreboard was lit up with the number 41 which Shaw wore as a member of the football and lacrosse teams at McMahon. He was remembered as both a great athlete and person.

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"He was a one in a million," said Steve Annunziato, who coached and taught Shaw in high school. "He had a smile that could light up a room. I considered him a great friend. To see all these people here, it's an incredible tribute. We lost a special and unique individual. I'm going to miss him."

People of all ages and races came to pay their respects to Shaw. He was loved by everyone and had a presence that was felt throughout Norwalk.

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"We woke up this morning and the whole city was different. He was such a special person," said Mike Livingston, a 2008 classmate of Shaws. "He had so many different friends from all walks of life and was always loud, always laughing, and smiling. He was Kuta. Everybody knew Kuta."

Shaw was well-known for his exploits on the same field where he was honored on Friday night. He excelled in football and lacrosse but it wasn't his talent that set him apart in sports.

"Kuta played fast," said former McMahon head coach Joe SantaLucia."He wasn't overly fast in terms of speed, but Kuda always played fast in that he played hard all the time. In practice and games, he gave 100 percent and you can't teach that."

Character can't be taught either and Shaw had plenty of it. "He was the best," said Rocco Cundari, a 2008 classmate of Shaws. "Not only was it in Norwalk, but Stamford, Westport, Darien. He was known everywhere. Parents loved him and he was so easy to get a long with. He probably made some bad choices in his life like most of us do, but everybody respected him.

Update 5:55pm Friday

Few people knew James Shaw as well as Nick Blosio. The two played football together from youth league through their senior year at Brien McMahon High School. They were also teammates in lacrosse. Blosio was shocked when he learned of Shaw's death this morning. He'll remember his friend as a person who was truly one of a kind.

"He was so unique, there was nobody else like him," said Blosio, who quarterbacked the McMahon football team in 2008 and 2009. "When James walked into a room, he would instantly brighten the mood of everyone."

Blosio said he last talked with Shaw a few weeks ago and has great memories of Shaw, who was a captain on the McMahon football team in 2007. He stated that Shaw was well-liked and well-respected throughout the city.

"I've never seen a guy with as many friends as James," said Blosio. "He was friends with so many people and was liked by everybody."

Shaw was part of McMahon's graduating class of 2008. He left an indelible mark on Blosio with his personality and drive on the playing fields.

"He gave 100 percent all the time, " Blosio said of Shaw who played running back and defensive back on the football team. "He took so much pride in the team and all the players. James was such a pleasure to have on the team."

Update 4:34pm Friday

When asked about James Shaw, Brien McMahon Athletic Director Joe Madaffari said, "James was a great kid. He was a very talented athletic who had a big heart. It's a tragedy. To lose someone so young and a great person like James is a tragedy."

Shaw as one of the captains of the 2007 football team at McMahon. He was also an integral part of the lacrosse program.

Melanie Emond, a friend of the Shaw family, remembered James as a great person. "It's so sad. He had his whole life ahead of him."

 

Upate 3:11pm Friday

According to a high-ranking official at Brien McMahon High School, there will be a vigil for James Shaw at the school on Friday at 7 p.m. Shaw, a graduate of the school and a former lacrosse and football player, was killed early Friday morning when he was struck by a car while walking on the Route 7 connector near exit 1.

Update 2:45pm Friday

James Shaw, the 21-year old man who was killed on the Route 7 connector early Friday morning, was a well-respected athlete at Brien McMahon High School. He was a member of both the Senators football and lacrosse teams.

A high-ranking official at McMahon told Patch the school will hold a vigil for Shaw at the high school Friday at 7pm.

Update 12:26pm Friday

The man killed in an early morning accident near the Route 7 connector has been identified as James Shaw, 21, of 10 Warren Street in Norwalk.

According to the accident report filed by John Myer of the Connecticut State Police, Shaw was struck by two vehicles at approximately 12:34 a.m as he was walking on the northbound side of the Route 7 connector near exit 1.

The police report states that Shaw was initially struck by a 2006 Nissan Altima that was traveling in the left lane of three. Moments later, a 2000 Honda Civic moving in the center lane hit Shaw. The victim was transported to Norwalk Hospital with massive injuries and passed away at 1:30 a.m.

Original Story

An unidentified man was killed while walking on the Route 7 connector in Norwalk early Friday morning.

According to the Norwalk Police Department, the dispatcher received a call about a man walking along the connector near exit 1 just after midnight. A patrolman was sent to the area and noticed a man walking in the southbound lane. According to police officials, the patrolman illuminated the subject for his safety.

The man then crossed the median and went into the northbound lane where he was struck by a car and fell into the middle of the road. Moments later, a second vehicle ran over him.

The patrolman responding to the accident noticed the man had "massive injuries and a great deal of blood loss." The man was transported to Norwalk Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The investigation of the accident has been turned over the state police.

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