Mall Massacre THWARTED – Gunman CAUGHT!
A shooting at Waterbury’s Brass Mill Center left five injured and a community shaken as authorities apprehended the suspected gunman, 19-year-old Tajuan Washington.
At a Glance
- 19-year-old suspect Tajuan Washington was out on bond for unrelated charges.
- Shooting targeted a man with whom Washington had a past conflict.
- Five individuals injured, all expected to survive.
- Washington faces multiple charges, now held on $2 million bond.
Shooting Details and Immediate Consequences
The incident unfolded at Waterbury’s Brass Mill Center mall, where Washington allegedly targeted a man over past disputes. Security footage played a crucial role in identifying and tracking Washington, who was on a $25,000 bond for earlier charges at the time. The gunfire wounded five individuals: the targeted man and four women accompanying him, all aged 18 to mid-20s.
All victims are expected to recover. Three have already been discharged from medical facilities, and the other two remain stable. Authorities confirmed that a woman among the injured suffered a gunshot wound to the spine but is stabilized. The swift response by law enforcement helped contain the chaos and reduce further risk to bystanders.
Gunman Subdued, Community Reflects
Washington surrendered peacefully after law enforcement set up surveillance around his residence. Reports indicate this was a targeted attack rather than a random act; Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo mentioned it as a reflection of poor conflict resolution skills leading to violence.
“This was a one-off incident. The mall is safe, the city is safe. But we do feel it’s important that we have these conversations about what we can do to make people feel safe.” – Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewsk.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont condemned the violence and praised law enforcement’s rapid action. He encouraged the public to remain resilient and not be intimidated by such occurrences. The governor’s words resonated with residents concerned about security.
Impact on Local Security and Responses
The mall was closed for comprehensive security sweeps following the event. Local officials are stressing the urgency for better conflict resolution measures to prevent such violent outbreaks. Residents echoed these concerns, requesting increased police presence at communal spaces.
“This afternoon there was a tragic mass shooting at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury, a place where everyone should feel safe. We are grateful to law enforcement, who acted swiftly.” – Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
Washington is charged with five counts of first-degree assault among other weapons-related charges, held on a $2 million bond. Ongoing investigations aim at retrieving the firearm used and understanding the broader narrative of the incident.
