More Charges Filed, Gun Found In Standoff In Bridgeport: UPDATE

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A handgun was found in connection with the standoff with a woman who barricaded herself in a William Street home on Thursday morning, resulting in additional charges for the suspect in the case, according to Bridgeport police.

"Detectives located a loaded Walther 9mm semiautomatic pistol in the basement where the suspect had been barricaded prior to being taken into custody," wrote Bridgeport Police Captain Kevin Gilleran in a statement. Detectives returned to the William Street home on Thursday with a search warrant to check the residence.

As a result of the discovery, the suspect, 21-year-old Bridgeport resident Nilah Bowie, was additionally charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm. Her bail was also increased from $100,000 to $250,000.

The barricading incident began at about 10:30 a.m. when police received reports of shots fired in the 600 block of William Street.

"Early information indicated a female subject shot a firearm from the third floor window of a multifamily home within the 600 block of William Street," Gilleran wrote. "Uniformed Patrol Officers arrived, identified the multifamily home on William Street, and began to evacuate innocent citizens residing in the area."

Officers and members of the department's Emergency Services Unit set up a perimeter around the home and were able to make contact with the woman, who was later identified as Bowie.

"Negotiators determined there were still innocent citizens that remained inside the dwelling," Gilleran wrote. "Bridgeport Police ESU Operators made entry into the 1st floor of the multifamily home in order to protect life. ESU Operators quickly located three innocent citizens inside the home (all appeared to be uninjured). Within a few minutes of that initial entry, ESU Operators were able to place [Bowie] in custody without further incident."

Bowie had been hiding in the basement when police found her, and she was "transported to an area hospital via ambulance and treated for superficial lacerations sustained prior to police contact."

No other injuries were reported, and officers checked the home and did not find any other dangerous subjects inside.

Bowie was treated at the hospital and released to police custody, at which time she was charged with the following:

• Risk of injury to a minor
• Disorderly conduct
• First-degree reckless endangerment
• Interfering with a police officer

The additional charges mentioned above were added Thursday evening; she is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Anyone with any additional information regarding this incident is urged to contact Bridgeport Police Detective Angel Llanos at 203 581-5238. Anonymous tips can also be left on the department's tips line at 203 576-TIPS (8477).