Wallingford Police Make Arrest in Shooting Case

WALLINGFORD, CT — A 31-year-old man has been charged with shooting another man in the stomach during an apparent drug deal last Thursday night in Wallingford, according to police.

Wallingford Police arrested Wayne Bradbury, whose last known address is 40 Colony Street in Hamden, on a warrant Monday evening at the Comfort Inn in Meriden.

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Bradbury’s girlfriend, 20-year-old Melissa Farmer, was also arrested after police found more than 4 ¼ ounces of cocaine, packing materials and digital scales in the hotel room that was rented in her name, according to Lt. Michael Colavolpe.

The arrests stem from the investigation into the shooting of a 19-year-old Milford resident on May 5 in Wallingford.

Wallingford Police received a 911 call at about 8:56 p.m. from a man who said that he had been shot and was currently in the parking lot of Cook Hill Elementary School, located at 57 Hall Road.

During the initial investigation, it was learned that the shooting occurred at CT Beverage Mart, located at 1070 North Colony Road. The victim was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The victim and his 18-year-old companion from Bridgeport were at CT Beverage Mart to meet up with another individual, later determined to be the suspect, according to Colavolpe. During the meeting, the suspect shot the victim while they were speaking on the side of CT Beverage Mart.

“Detectives have been working diligently since Thursday evening to identify the suspect responsible for the shooting,” Colavolpe said in a press release. “During the course of the investigation, it was learned the victim arranged to meet up with the suspect in attempt to purchase narcotics. While the two were meeting, the suspect attempted to rob the victim of his money and during this encounter is when the suspect shot the victim. The suspect fled the area in a white BMW sedan.”

Detectives located the suspect, Bradbury, at about 5 p.m. on Monday when he was exiting the Comfort Inn, located at 938 East Main Street in Meriden. He was taken into custody without incident and the white BMW sedan was recovered in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn and seized as evidence, according to Colavolpe.

Colavolpe said detectives continued their investigation and searched the hotel room that was being rented by Farmer, who last resided at 58 Hillside Avenue in Plainville.

Detectives found over 4 and ¼ ounces of cocaine, packaging materials, and digital scales in the hotel room, according to Colavolpe.

At the time of his arrest, Bradbury was found to be in possession of more than $4,000 in cash and Colavolpe said the street value of the cocaine is estimated to be worth more than $5,000.

Bradbury is a convicted felon and currently has a pending case at Meriden Superior Court for a second-degree assault charge, according to Colavolpe.

On Monday night, Bradbury was charged with first-degree assault, criminal attempt at first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a firearm. He was held on a $500,000 bond and was given a court date of May 23.

If Bradbury is unable to make bond, he will be arraigned at Meriden Superior Court on Tuesday Morning, Colavolpe said.

Additionally, Bradbury was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell and was held on a separate $250,000 bond for this charge.

Farmer was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell. She was detained on a $25,000 bond and given a court date of May 23 at Meriden Superior Court.

Pictured: Wayne Bradbury, 31, of Hamden, Melissa Farmer, 20, of Plainville, and narcotics evidence seized / Courtesy of Wallingford Police Department