2 Face Attempted Murder Charges After Stamford Shooting, Car Chase

It was a wild scene for I-95 drivers Friday night when a man and his girlfriend drove after another couple who are accused of shooting at the victims — first in Stamford, then as they drove along the highway and again as the chase continued into in East Norwalk where it ended with a car crash.

Stamford Police said Saturday two people are in custody following the incident that began about 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at 14 Ann St. in Stamford, and ended when the suspects’ car crashed in front of Penny’s Diner on East Avenue in East Norwalk. The suspects bolted from their car with Norwalk Police catching them after a foot pursuit.

According to NBC Connecticut, police chased one of the suspects onto the nearby Metro-North Railroad tracks, prompting a temporary shutdown of the rail line.

Stamford Police said the incident was not a random attack, rather it was directed at the intended victims. Police said it was “lucky” that neither of the victims nor any bystanders or motorists were struck by the flying bullets.

The two suspects on being held on attempted murder charges.

Here is the Stamford Police account of what happened:

When police responded to the report of a shooting at 14 Ann St., they discovered seven shell casings in the driveway.

As this was being investigated, Stamford Police received information that the intended victim and his girlfriend were chasing the shooter, got onto northbound I-95 and that there were shots being fired at the victim’s car.

Stamford Police then alerted Connecticut State Police and surrounding towns. “A short time later, Norwalk Police Officer Mancini had set up a surveillance on the off ramp to exit 16. He witnessed the victim’s car ram the rear of the suspects’ car at this location. Two occupants then emerged from the suspects’ car (a 2015 Kia Rio) and began firing at the victims’ car and thus striking it several times,” police said in a statement.

Mancini then pursued the Kia Rio south on East Avenue. The male suspect, later identified as Robert “BJ” Hudson, 32, and the female driver, later identified as Shameka McNairn, 26, fled the vehicle as it crashed at the intersection of East Avenue and Prowitt Street, according to police.

Mancini, whose first name was not immediately available, saw Hudson throw a black handgun over a wall behind Penny’s diner. Mancini secured the weapon and other Norwalk officers caught Hudson and McNairn a short distance away.

Stamford and State Police arrived at scene and collected evidence from numerous crime scenes strewn throughout Stamford, I-95 and Norwalk, Stamford Police said. All evidence and suspects were brought to Stamford for processing.

It turns out, the weapon seized at the scene was one of two stolen during a car burglary in Stamford on Oct. 25, police said.

Hudson, whose last known address is 5 Cowes St., Bridgeport, was charged with criminal attempt at first-degree murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and altering a serial number on a weapon. Hudson is a convicted felon and has six previous arrests for firearms violations, carrying body armor and ammunition as a felon, according to police. Police said he also has two convictions for narcotics sales and interfering with police. His bond is $500,000.

McNairn, whose last known address is 15 Stanley Ct., Stamford was charged with conspiracy of criminal attempt at murder and first-degree reckless endangerment. Her bond was set at $100,000.

“The Stamford Police would like to thank the cooperation between the agencies (NPD and State PD) in collaborating in making two arrests and getting a stolen handgun off the streets,” Stamford Police said. “Luckily for all involved the victims were not struck or no innocent bystanders were hit in this chaotic event.”

Police said, “The investigation is still open and fluid. Stamford Police are asking if anyone has information on these shootings to call Stamford Police Detective Bureau at 203-977-4417.”

Photos of suspects Robert “BJ” Hudson and Shameka McNairn. Credit: Stamford Police.

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