'Accidental' Shooting Reported in Branford Restaurant's Parking Lot: Police

BRANFORD, CT — Branford Police Detectives are investigating what they believe is an “accidental” shooting in the lot of a popular restaurant, police said.

E-911 Telecommunicators received a call just before 1:30am on Saturday morning that a person had been injured by a gunshot and was en route to a hospital, Police said. The E-911 Telecommunicator had the operator of the vehicle stop in East Haven to permit Fire Department Paramedics the ability to begin immediate medical treatment, police said.

Lieutenant John Alves, who commands the midnight shift, said officers were able to preliminarily interview the victim and other witnesses, who said that the shooting occurred in the rear parking lot at 624 West Main Street, Branford, police said. That address is Eli's Restaurant.

Detective Lieutenant John Finkle said that detectives investigating the shooting learned that Stephen Kasperzyk, 24, of East Haven was in the parking lot with two of his friends. At some point, one of Kasperzyk’s friends was attempting to give Kasperzyk his handgun that had been stored in a motor vehicle and, during the exchange, the weapon discharged, hitting Kasperzyk in the shoulder, police said.

The incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.