A shooting at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury, Connecticut, left five people injured on Tuesday afternoon. The suspect, 19-year-old Tajuan Washington, allegedly opened fire after confronting another man with whom he had a history of conflict. The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. near the mall’s main entrance, and officials have stated that it was not a random act of violence.
According to Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr., Washington fired multiple shots, hitting both the man he was targeting and four women accompanying him. The police were quick to respond to the chaotic scene, with shoppers fleeing for safety as gunfire erupted. Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo praised the officers for their swift action, noting they were unsure if there was still an active shooter on the scene.
Washington was out on a $25,000 bond for previous charges, including reckless driving. He had been arrested in October for allegedly driving at speeds of 105 miles per hour while evading police. Following the shooting, he is now facing five counts of first-degree assault and other weapons-related charges, with a new bond set at $2 million.
Three of the five victims were treated and released from the hospital by Wednesday morning, while the other two remained in stable condition, including one woman who suffered a spinal injury. All of the victims were in their late teens to mid-20s.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the confrontation and the shooting. They executed a search warrant at Washington’s home and discovered rifles, but the weapon used in the mall shooting has not yet been located.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont addressed the media, urging residents not to be intimidated by the violence. He emphasized the need to address conflicts without resorting to firearms, highlighting the severity of the situation where an argument escalated into a shooting that injured multiple people.
The mall is currently safe for shoppers, according to the mayor, who commended mall employees for their efforts in maintaining calm and assisting customers during the incident.