Shooting at Connecticut Mall Leaves Five Wounded \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Five people were wounded in a shooting at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury, Connecticut. Police believe the shooter knew the victims and that the incident stemmed from a dispute. No arrests have been made, but officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Quick Looks
- Shooting occurred Tuesday around 4:40 p.m. at Brass Mill Center.
- Five victims hospitalized; conditions not yet disclosed.
- Police say shooting followed a dispute, not random.
- Suspect used a semiautomatic pistol, remains at large.
- Waterbury Police Chief confirms no ongoing public threat.
- Brass Mill Center is 30 miles southwest of Hartford.
- Investigation ongoing; no arrests made at time of report.
Deep Look
A peaceful afternoon at one of Connecticut’s busiest shopping centers was shattered Tuesday when gunfire erupted inside the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury, leaving five people injured and launching a massive police response. While initial fears suggested a mass shooting scenario, authorities were quick to clarify: this was a targeted attack, and the victims likely knew the shooter.
According to Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo, officers responded to the mall at approximately 4:40 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance and gunshots inside the facility. When officers arrived, they found five individuals with gunshot wounds. The victims were quickly transported to local hospitals. As of Tuesday night, police had not released their identities or the severity of their injuries, but confirmed all were receiving treatment.
In a briefing outside the mall, Chief Spagnolo told reporters that investigators believe the shooting was not random. “We do not believe this was a random act of violence,” he said. “Based on preliminary information, this appears to have stemmed from a dispute between individuals who were acquainted.”
Witnesses described panic as shots rang out in the early evening hours. Shoppers and employees rushed for exits, ducked behind counters, or locked themselves in back rooms. Emergency responders, including SWAT units and medical personnel, quickly converged on the scene. Law enforcement cleared the mall and began canvassing the area for surveillance footage, shell casings, and witnesses.
According to police, the suspect — who remains at large — used a semiautomatic pistol during the incident. While no arrests had been made as of Tuesday night, Chief Spagnolo said investigators had strong leads and were working diligently to identify and locate the gunman.
The Brass Mill Center, located just off Interstate 84, is a major retail hub in Waterbury — a city of around 115,000 residents located about 30 miles southwest of Hartford. The mall features dozens of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater, and is often crowded, particularly in the late afternoons.
The shooting has reignited concerns about gun violence in public spaces, especially in locations where families, teenagers, and employees gather. While police emphasized that this particular shooting was not a random act of mass violence, the very fact that it happened inside a mall still raised alarms for both local officials and residents.
“This could have been far worse,” said a city council member, speaking anonymously as the investigation continued. “The fact that it happened in a public place where so many innocent people were nearby is terrifying.”
City officials have since increased police patrols near shopping centers and public venues as a precautionary measure, though law enforcement maintains that the threat to the public is minimal.
In recent years, malls across the United States have increasingly become sites of violent incidents, ranging from targeted disputes to random shootings. Brass Mill Center has not been known for violence, but like many public spaces, it lacks advanced security checkpoints or controlled entry — conditions that, while inviting for shoppers, can be exploited in moments of conflict.
Chief Spagnolo confirmed that the Waterbury Police Department is working with mall security and local businesses to improve surveillance coverage and safety protocols in light of the shooting. Authorities are urging anyone with information or cellphone footage to come forward, noting that public cooperation is often crucial in solving these types of crimes quickly.
As of Tuesday night, investigators were analyzing video footage from mall cameras and surrounding parking lot security systems. Police did not comment on whether the shooter fled on foot or by vehicle, though they did confirm the person remains at large.
Community members have expressed concern not only for the victims and their families but also for the broader safety implications. Many were relieved to hear the incident was not a random mass shooting, but some said the distinction offered little comfort.
“I was in the mall with my two kids,” said one witness. “We didn’t care who the target was — we just knew we had to get out. It was chaos.”
As the investigation continues, city leaders are planning to meet with mall management and regional law enforcement partners to assess safety strategies and ensure community confidence.
Police have not confirmed if the victims were specifically targeted individuals or bystanders caught in the crossfire. It remains unclear what the original dispute was about or what connection existed between the shooter and those injured.
For now, the city of Waterbury is leaning heavily on its law enforcement teams to bring clarity, closure, and ultimately justice to what could have been a much more tragic event. But with a gunman still on the loose, questions remain — and the community watches, waits, and hopes for swift resolution.
Shooting at Connecticut Shooting at Connecticut
You must Register or Login to post a comment.