Police Pursue Armed Man Who Is Person Of Interest In Shooting: Stamford PD

STAMFORD, CT — A man who police say is a "person of interest" in a recent shooting in Bridgeport was arrested in Stamford on June 16 after a brief foot pursuit in which he discarded a loaded gun, according to the Stamford Police Department.

Elizer DeJesus, 20, of Bridgeport, was charged with illegal transfer of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a high capacity magazine, third-degree burglary and interfering with police, Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin said.

The SPD Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit assisted Bridgeport Police Task Force officers with a firearms investigation into DeJesus, during which authorities secured search warrants for his vehicle and home in Bridgeport, according to Conklin.

DeJesus was tracked to the 100 block of Hoyt Street, just a few blocks from SPD headquarters, on June 16, and at approximately 6:30 p.m. he was seen exiting a building and entering his vehicle, Conklin said.

As officers moved to box the car in and execute the vehicle search warrant, DeJesus jumped from the vehicle with a gun in his hand and began to run, Conklin said.

During a foot chase, DeJesus discarded the gun and was later apprehended as he tried to enter an apartment on nearby Dolsen Place, Conklin said, noting the third-degree burglary charge stems from attempting to enter the home.

Conklin praised the "professional job" by police units during the arrest.

"Certainly, there are tense moments when anyone grabs a handgun like that and refuses orders at close distance to put that down," Conklin said. "We're lucky no one got seriously injured."

Officers recovered a Palmetto State Armory 9mm semi-automatic handgun that contained a 30-round high capacity magazine loaded with 21 9mm rounds, Conklin said.

"The seized firearm will be processed to see if it was involved in the shooting in question in Bridgeport," Conklin said, noting the shooting occurred on June 13. Details surrounding the shooting are unclear.

DeJesus is believed to have left the Bridgeport area following the shooting, and knew of an apartment on Hoyt Street, Conklin said.

A bond of $500,000 was placed on DeJesus by Judge Dayton out of Bridgeport. DeJesus has a scheduled court date of June 30.