NEW BRITAIN, CT — A vehicle smashed into the New Britain Emergency Medical Services’ headquarters Tuesday afternoon, and emergency responders found a male passenger suffering from a gunshot wound.
Alisha Rayner, director of operations & communications for the city, said the shooting victim was conscious and alert, and he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The incident happened around 2:55 p.m. Police received reports of a motor vehicle accident involving a building and possible gunfire, according to Rayner.
New Britain EMS said none of its employees were injured in the crash at their building, at 225 Arch St.
Patrick Ciardullo, chief of New Britain EMS, said staff inside the building heard multiple gunshots, then a vehicle screeching and hitting something.
The vehicle had hit the building’s dayroom, where staff had gathered, and a crew member saw the vehicle coming toward the building and alerted others, according to Ciardullo.
Ciardullo described the damage to the building as “minor,” as the vehicle hit a pylon and fence before the headquarters building. There was no structural damage, he said, and he anticipates repairs will be completed within a month.
EMS workers reported seeing two people flee the vehicle before police arrived on scene. Police quickly located the two individuals nearby, according to Rayner.
The New Britain Police Department Detective Division is continuing to investigate the incident.
According to Rayner, investigators believe it was an isolated incident, with “no active threat to the public.”
Anyone with information related is asked to contact Capt. Matthew Butkiewicz at 860-826-3120.
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