TOO MANY GUNS ON OUR STREETS, THE COURTS NEED TO START DOING THEIR JOB

 

 

There are too many guns on our streets. The alarming part is that many of these gun arrests come along with the criminal charge "criminal possession of a firearm". That charge usually means that this person  is a convicted felon willing to carry or use a gun. This can no longer be a "slap on the wrist offense" by the courts. This is a serious charge and it needs to result in serious jail time.

Here is an incident that occurred last night and the details from HPD:

On November 24, 2015 at 7:10pm Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers and the Hartford Shooting Task Force responded to New Country Motor Cars on Weston Street on a report of an active shooter. Arriving HPD officers tactically cleared the parking lot and dealership but were unable to locate the shooter. Officers located several witnesses who reported that a male suspect, dressed in black, had been shooting at an employee in the east lot of the dealership. The intended victim and witnesses reported up to five shots from a revolver. Two vehicles were damaged by gunfire.

As officers were still investigating at New Country Motor Cars, a McDonald's employee, (98 Weston Street) called 911 and reported a male suspect in the restaurant in possession of a firearm.

HPD Officers and Hartford STF responded. Officers entered McDonald's and observed a male suspect sitting with a revolver on his lap. The suspect was held at gunpoint by officers as he put his hands in the air. HPD Patrol Officers moved in and secured the suspects firearm (#1). The suspect was placed in handcuffs without incident. The suspect was identified as Willis Wright.

As Wright was in the rear seat of a HPD cruiser, he advised the Officer that he was the one that was just shooting at the Mercedes Dealership. Wright further stated that he had two guns, and had previously discarded the gun he used to shoot at the dealership. HPD Patrol and STF Investigators went to an area directed to by Wright where he said he threw a firearm. Officers went behind 10 Weston Street (formerly Jiffy Lube), where the firearm (#2) was located and secured as evidence.

Wright is a convicted felon with several pending cases and prior firearm arrests. He was interviewed and booked.

It is not immediately clear why the suspect was shooting at the dealership. Investigators report Wright had no connection to the dealership and that Wright believed '...somebody was trying to kill him'. Investigators described Wrights behavior as a Emotionally Disturbed Person. The Investigation is ongoing. Wright is to be arraigned this morning.

EVIDENCE:

Firearm #1; Colt .38 Caliber Detective Special Revolver color black, fully loaded with (6) live .38 caliber rounds of ammunition.

Firearm #2; Sturm Ruger .357 Revolver color silver, containing (5) spent shell casings.


DAMAGED:

New 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 SUV- passenger side roof projectile damage.

New 2016 Smart Fortwo coupe- passenger side door projectile damage.


Arrest: Wright, Willis, 38 (03/23/1977), of 1574 Main Street, Hartford, CT.
Charges:

Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit

Criminal Possession of a Firearm

Criminal Attempt at Assault 1st Degree

Criminal Mischief 1st Degree

Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree