It's been almost three years since Javier Mateo was gunned down by two black-hooded men on mountain bikes as he was hanging out on Franklin Avenue.

Although one man was sentenced last year to 31 years in prison for his role in the September 1995 shooting, the second suspect has been at large.

On Sunday, Hartford police said an East Hartford shooting early in the morning may have helped them close the case.

About 6 a.m., police received a telephone call from the train station in Hartford requesting an officer. Officer John Wesoly went to the station, where he was approached by Chauncey Watts, 20, who police said was wanted for murder and three counts of first- degree assault in the 1995 shooting. Watts surrendered to Wesoly.

Sgt. Norberto A. Huertas, of the Hartford police major crimes division, said Watts was a member of the 20 Love gang at the time of the shooting.

"A lot of time and effort has been expended trying to find this kid," he said.

Police were suspicious of Watts' sudden decision to surrender.

"He's been on the run for three years. Obviously, something was on his mind," Huertas said.

Hartford police started contacting surrounding towns to determine if Watts was a suspect in any other crimes. Meanwhile, East Hartford police were investigating a 2 a.m. shooting at the Travelers Inn, 490 Main St., East Hartford.

East Hartford police Lt. Mike Fowich said six employees of a New Jersey company that sells magazine subscriptions door-to-door had been staying at the inn for several days. After an argument between two of the workers, one man left and returned a short time later and shot his co-worker in the chest and leg, then ran off.

The victim, Thomas Radford, 27, of Georgia, was in stable condition Sunday at Hartford Hospital.

Although police had the suspect's vendor identification card, they soon discovered the name was false. Their investigation led them to Hartford, where Watts already had been arrested. East Hartford police said he was involved in the Travelers Inn shooting, although no charges have yet been filed.

Watts is being held in lieu of $2.25 million bail in the Hartford case and will be arraigned today 8/3 in Hartford Superior Court.