Second Arrest Made in Hartford Daytime Shootout

HARTFORD, CT — A second person believed to have been involved in what police described as "a brazen daytime gun battle" in the capital city in June was arrested Monday on a warrant.

Edgardo Montanez, 31, of 11 Annawan Street in Hartford, was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm, weapons in a motor vehicle, unlawful discharge of a firearm, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and third-degree criminal mischief. A judge set bond at $450,000.

Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said on June 23, Hartford patrol officers were in an area likely to have shots fired, when gunshots were heard coming from the vicinity of Park Street at Hungerford Street. Additional officers and detectives from the Focused Violence Reduction Team (FVRT) responded to the area, where a crime scene was located and six .380 caliber shell casings were recovered.

Extensive property damage was found to both the interior and exterior of the Best Barber Shop at 563 Park Street. It was determined that a gun battle had occurred involving the exchange of gunfire between two shooters, Foley said.

In the course of the investigation, a suspect was developed and later positively identified as one of the involved shooters. Hector Rios-Pabon was taken into custody without incident during an apprehension operation on Aug. 31, Foley said.

As the investigation continued, detectives were able to identify the second shooter, Montanez, from the incident, and obtained an arrest warrant. On Monday, FVRT detectives and the Hartford U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force conducted an apprehension operation in regards to the warrant, Foley said.

Numerous apprehension attempts were conducted at various locations within the South End of Hartford. As a result, Montanez contacted detectives via phone and agreed to surrender himself. He was later taken into custody without incident, according to Foley.

Photo courtesy of Hartford Police Department