28-05-2025
Connecticut governor on mall mass shooting: ‘This type of crime is shocking'
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — The Democratic governor of Connecticut and the state Senate GOP are responding to Tuesday afternoon's mass shooting at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury.
Tajuan Washington, a 19-year-old man from Waterbury, turned himself in to police late Tuesday evening, Waterbury Police Chief Paul Spagnolo said during a news conference Wednesday. The suspect was arraigned Wednesday on multiple charges and held on a $2 million bond.
'This type of crime is just shocking to me,' Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said at the news conference. 'We have to do everything we can in the community to make sure we head this off and find out where these sources of friction might be. But I really want to say, on behalf of the people of Waterbury, we're so proud you're here, and don't let these guys scare you. I want you back in this mall.'
Watch Wednesday's news conference in the video below.
Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott), Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-Durham), and Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) issued a joint statement on Wednesday, stating that Connecticut needs stronger laws addressing violent crime.
'As we noted earlier this month after the shooting and stabbing during a funeral service at a Hartford church: We are too soft on violent crime in Connecticut,' the statement said. 'We must support our law enforcement and give them the tools and resources they need.'
Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said the five people wounded suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Three people have been released from the hospital. The mayor said a woman who was shot in the spine had regained some feeling in her extremities.
The mall remained closed on Wednesday.
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