3 In Custody After BB Gun Shooting Spree In West Hartford: Police

WEST HARTFORD, CT — One adult from Berlin and two juveniles were charged by West Hartford police Saturday afternoon after a frightening shooting incident in which BB guns were fired into a group of people.

The West Hartford Police Department Saturday afternoon said Luis Ortiz-Perez, 18, of Berlin, was charged with:

• 10 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment.

• One count of interfering with police/resisting arrest.

• One count of risk of injury to a minor.

• One count of conspiracy of risk of injury to a minor.

• Seven counts of third-degree assault.

• One count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault.

• Eight counts of second-degree breach of peace.

• One count of conspiracy to commit second-degree breach of peace.

Ortiz-Perez is being held on $250,000 bond and is slated to appear next week in Hartford Superior Court.

According to the WHPD, at about 1 p.m. Saturday, officers received a complaint about the occupant of a black Mercedes Benz pointing a BB gun at someone sitting outside the Whole Foods store located at 50 Raymond Road, West Hartford.

Shortly after, police received a complaint of the occupants of a black car shooting multiple people with pellets near the intersection of Bishop Road and Farmington Avenue, the WHPD said.

One of the victims, police said, was shot in the face and all victims suffered "minor injuries" and were evaluated on scene by responders.

Meanwhile, the suspect vehicle, which had a stolen license plate, was located at the intersection of Park and Raymond roads, police said.

Units attempted a motor vehicle stop, but the black Mercedes fled, police said.

Eventually, the WHPD was able to deploy a tire deflation device and they apprehended two juveniles and the adult suspect, later identified as Ortiz-Perez, in the area of 626 Willard Ave. in nearby Newington.

Assisting was the Newington Police Department.

In addition to Ortiz-Perez, both a 17-year-old juvenile and a 16-year-old juvenile were also charged. Their names were not released because of their age.

The 17-year-old suspect was charged with eight counts of second-degree reckless endangerment; one count of interfering with an officer; three counts of risk of injury to a child; one count of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a child; seven counts of third-degree assault; eight counts of second-degree breach of peace; and one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault.

The 16-year-old juvenile was charged with 10 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment; one count of interfering with a police officer; three counts of risk of injury to a child; one count of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a child; seven counts of third-degree assault; one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault; eight counts of breach of peace; one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree breach of peace; three counts of failure to stop at a stop sign; one count of failure to drive right; four counts of failure to obey a traffic control signal; one count of passing in a no-passing zone; one count of reckless driving; one count of theft of plates; one count of operating an unregistered motor vehicle; one count of having insufficient insurance; one count of engaging police in pursuit; and one count of failure to display a number plate.

"We are extremely grateful that no one was seriously injured during this incident, and would like to thank the West Hartford Fire Department (WHFD) and Newington Police Department for their assistance," wrote the WHPD in a release.

Police said the case is under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at (860) 523-5203, or use the anonymous WHPD Tip Line/email at 860-570-8969 / whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.